PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES AND ITS ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN SHEEP KEPT IN WUKARI TOWN TARABA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes and its associated risk factors in sheep kept at Wukari town, Taraba State Nigeria. Coprological diagnostic technique was adopted for the study. A total of 400 faecal samples were examined for nematode parasites eggs for a period of three months, and 286 out of them had eggs of different nematode parasites with overall prevalence of 71.5%. Infection was either single or mixed.Single infection was more prevalent (68.3%) than mixed infection (3.3%).Three gastrointestinal nematode parasites of veterinary importance were identified. Strongyles had the highest prevalence (49.3%), followed by Trichuris Ovis (13%) and least Strongyloides Papillosus (6%).Prevalence was observed to be significantly higher (P<0.05) in female sheep (76.8%) than the male (56.3%).Age-based prevalence revealed that young sheep had the highest (74.4%) while adults had 70.5% but was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Sheep in poor body condition had the prevalence of 94.5% while those in medium and good body condition had the prevalence of 66.2% and 28.3% respectively. Prevalence was significantly (P<0.05) higher in sheep with poor body condition. It was concluded that gastrointestinal nematodes is prevalent in the study area; sex and body condition score were potential risk factors associated with prevalence of the infection in the study area. Therefore, gastrointestinal parasites control through timely de-worming with broad spectrum anti-helminthics should be encouraged to improve productivity.