Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by microorganisms from the genus Schistosoma. It has a huge negative impact on both economy and health worldwide. In this paper a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of bovine schistosomiasis in north western Ethiopia with the objective of providing detailed information on bovine schistosomiasis prevalence in relation to animal and ecological related risk factors. The sampled animals were categorized under four associated risk factors which include: origin, sex, body condition score and age. Fecal samples were randomly collected from a total of 289 animals and Schistosoma’s eggs were identified by sedimentation technique. 69 (23.9%) fecal samples were revealed positive for Schistosoma. The highest (29.8%) prevalence rate was recorded at Keltafa district followed by Lalibella (25.9 %), Korench (19.1%) and kurbiha (14.0%). Animals categorized under medium body condition score has a relative high prevalence (25.7%) followed by poor (24.3%) and good body condition (21.7%) animals. In conclusion, the prevalence recorded among different selected study districts, sex, body condition score and age groups shows some degree of variability and insignificant (p>0.05), which resulted from the difference in abundancy of marshy areas and rivers, animal’s immunity and types of management system. Despite these variability factors, the disease has a great socio-economic impact that needs intervention.