Tesfaye SisayDaniel Shiferaw2026-08-042026-08-042011-04-20https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8774A cross- setional study was undertaken from October 2010 to April 20 11 in urban and periurban dairy farms in Dire Dawa areas to isolate Staphylococcus spp. from raw milk at potential points of contamination with the organism. In the precent study. survey using interview methods using structured questionnaire was made. In addition. bacteriological investigation of Staphylococcus species and determination of their prevalence and distribution was carried out. In th is study. it was ob erved that 20(83.3%) of the farms ha good h)gienic status of bedding area. In 95.8% of all the farm the udder and teat of lactating cows was washed before milking: 33.3% of dairy establishment use separate towel, while 8.3 % use common towel for washing more than one or all of thc lactating cows in thc farm . in addition 87.5% cleaned their hand before milking, however, on ly 58.3% conducted cleaning between milking; 79.1% of the dairy farms washed milking utensils. In 45.83% of the farm detergent or soap were routinely practiced; dipping was practiced in 20.8% dairy farms: 45.8% were not aware of milk contamination and food-borne disease. A total of 827 samples were cultured for isolation and idc elllification of Staphylococcus species and know possible route of contamination. About 384 raw milk samples from bovine udder milk. Bovine raw milk revealed 184 (47.91%) isolates of Staphylococcus species. There were grouped into 109(28.4%) i olates of CN . 42( I 0.93%) isolates of S. aureus. 18(4.7%) isolates of S. intermedius and 15(3.9%) isolates of S. hyicl/s. A total of 384 lactating cow skin swabs (192 udder swab samples and 192 teat swab samples were collected from selccted farms. Result showed that 85(44 .3%) on pooled teat swab sample and 72(37.5%) from udder swab positiveisolates of Staphylococcus species. They were grouped in S aureus with 26( 13.5%) isolate .S. intermedius with 6(3 .1 %) isolates. S. hyiclIs with I (0.52%) isolates and 52(27.1 %) isolatesyielded C . udder swab samplcs yielded. S. aureus with 13(6.8%) isolates. S. intermedlllolwith 7(3 .6%); S. hyicl/s with 2( 1.04 %) isolates and CNS with 50(26.04%) were identified. inaddition. Staphylococcus species were detected at rate of 15% CNS and 10% S aureus onthe milking buckets, and 20% CNS specie and 15% S. aureus. on bulk milk collectingcontainers. Five (26 .3%) milkers ' hands skin swabs were carriers of ceoaglate negativeStaphylococci. In conclusion. proper hygienic measures should be practiced to control staphylococcal contamination of raw milk and the Subsequent public health hazard.enContaminationMilkStaphylococcusThesis