Prevalence of Bovine Cysticercosis and Status of Human Taeniasis in and around Asella Town, Tiyo Woreda, South East Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis is an important parasitic disease and more common in developing countries including Ethiopia where meat is an important component of human diet and traditionally consumed raw on several occasions. Methodology: Cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 at Asella municipal abattoir in Arsi zone of Oromia to determine prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and status of human taeniasis with its associated risk factors around Asella town. Routine meat inspection method and questionnaire survey were performed for this study. Result: From the total of 430 carcass inspected, 5(1.2%) were positive for bovine cysticercosis. The statistical analysis revealed that risk factors like sex, breed, body condition and ages are not associated with the prevalence of cysticercosis. The questionnaire survey showed that 44.3% of total respondents were infested with Taenia saginata at least once in their life time and out of these positive respondents 32% and 6.7% become positive only before and after 2000 E.C respectively, while 5.6 % wereinfested many times. A statistical analysis showed that human taeniasis prevalence is significantly different (plt;0.05) among the categories of the considered risk factors like: residence area, age, sex, raw meat consumption, education and occupational status. Religiondifference was not a problem for Taeniasis prevalence distribution. Conclusion: In general, the current study revealed that the presence of bovine cysticercosis was small but it#x2019;s still a public health hazard in the study area which needs increased awareness about the health impact of taenisis.