Abstract

Neglected tropical gastrointestinal parasites are present in locales with poor sanitation, continually spilling over to various populations, causing malnutrition and other problems in infected animals. This is because of limited access to treatment and public health interventions in endemic areas. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites among camels presented for slaughter at Maiduguri abattoir. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 150 conveniently sampled camels. Faecal samples and other relevant data were collected from the sampled camels. Faecal samples were subjected to floatation and sedimentation techniques while descriptive and regression statistics were applied to analyse the data. Of the 150 camels, 44 of them were not infected, 95 had a single parasitic infection, and 11 of the camels had mixed parasitic infections. Total prevalence was 70.7% and five genera of parasite eggs were discovered from the faecal samples. The prevalence was 68.7% for Strongylus species, 2.7% for Fasciola species, 0.6% for Strongyloides species, 3.3% for Trichuris species, and 2.7% for Moniezia species. Univariate regression analysis disclosed a weak strength of relationship (Multiple R= 0.2) between sex with the dependent variable, but a positive linear relationship existed and it was statistically significant (P= 0.007). 2.3% of variation in the dependent variable was explained by the independent variable sex. Multivariate regression analysis revealed a weak strength of relationship (Multiple R= 0.22) between the independent variables with the dependent variable; and none were statistically significant. This meant that prevalence of Strongylus species infection was high while those of Fasciola species, Strongyloides species, Trichuris species, and Moniezia species were low. Public health veterinarians, local authorities, and the State Government should collaborate to prioritize camel food hygiene from pastoralist level and quarantine stations to abattoir level.

Key words: Abattoir level, Borno State, Dromedary camel, Gastrointestinal parasites, Nigeria, Risk factors