Study On The Prevalence of Ovine Ectoparasites and Associated Risk Factors in Selected Ectoparasite Controlled and Uncontrolled Areas of Arsi Zone, Oromiya Region
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2013 to May 2014 with the objectives
to estimate the prevalence of ectoparasites of sheep in ectoparasites controlled and
uncontrolled area, assess major risk factors as well as evaluate effect of ectoparasites on
livelihood of farmer in ectoparasites controlled and uncontrolled areas of Arsi Zone,
Oromiya Region. A total of 969 sheep (646 sheep from controlled area and 323 sheep from
uncontrolled area) were examined for presence of ectoparasites. Accordingly, from
controlled area 371 (57.43%) and from uncontrolled area 285 (88.24%) were infested with
one or more ectoparasites. The ectoparasites identified from controlled area were B. ovis
48.9%, Linognathus spp 0.93%, sheep keds 7.4%, 2.32% B(R). decoloratus, 1.46% A.
variegatum, 1.08 % A. gemma, 4.59% R. evertsi evertsi, and 0.31% mixed tick infestation
and 12.5% mixed infestation. The ectoparasites identified from uncontrolled area were B.
ovis 81.4%, Linognathus spp 0.9%, 1.79% B(R). decoloratus, 2.62% A. variegatum, 9.29%
R. evertsi evertsi, 4.3% mixed tick infestation and 32.2% mixed infestation. The risk of
ectoparasite infestation in sheep of uncontrolled area were 5.644 times higher than controlled
area sheep (OR=5.644, p=.000). Significantly higher prevalence of lice, tick and keds
infestation in the uncontrolled area than the controlled area was recorded. The risk of lice,
keds and tick infestations in uncontrolled area was 7.061, 3.836 and 2.074 times higher than
controlled area respectively. Age and management related variation was not observed in the
prevalence of ectoparasite in both controlled and uncontrolled area. Significantly (OR=0.455,
p=0.000) higher prevalence of overall ectoparasite infestation in the female sheep of
controlled area than the male was observed. Female sheep in controlled area were 1.129
times at higher risk for lice infestation than male. Significantly higher prevalence of keds in
controlled (OR=0.081, p=0.000) and in uncontrolled area (OR=0.715, p=0.000) on wooly
than hairy sheep was recorded. The logistic regression results showed significant higher
prevalence of tick infestations in female sheep (OR=1.861, p=0.000) and poor body
condition sheep (OR= 0.478, p=0.015) of uncontrolled area. Female sheep and poor body
condition sheep of uncontrolled area were 1.861 and 0.478 times at higher risk for tick
infestation than male and good body condition sheep respectively. Favorable climatic
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conditions, poor husbandry and animal management, lack of awareness by farmers, and weak
animal health extension services are believed to have contributed for widespread distribution
and occurrences of ectoparasites. Higher prevalence of ectoparasites observed in the
controlled area put under question the effectiveness of ectoparasites control in selected
districts of Oromiya Region. The growing threat of ectoparasites to small ruminant
production and the tanning industry needs well-coordinated, appropriate and urgent control
intervention.
Key words: Controlled/uncontrolled, Arsi Zone, Ectoparasites, Sheep, Oromiya
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Keywords
Controlled/uncontrolled, Arsi Zone, Ectoparasites, Sheep, Oromiya