Epidemiology of gastrointestinal helminthiasis of small ruminants in selected sites of North Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with small ruminant helminthiasis in north Gondar zone, northwest Ethiopia from November-January, 2008. A total of 558 small ruminants (458 sheep and 100 goats) were examined using standard parasitological procedure. The study revealed that the overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 47.67%. The species level prevalence of helminthiasis was 46.07% and 55% in sheep and goats respectively. Strongyles were the most prevalent parasites encountered in the area followed by Fasciola. A statistically significant difference was found in prevalence between sheep and goat. Agroecology was found to be associated with prevalence rate and species of parasite found. Sex and age of the animals were shown to have association with prevalence but significant difference was not found. Therefore during the control and treatment of small ruminant helminthiasis agroecology, species, age and sex of the animals should be considered as potential risk factors for the occurrence of the disease in the study areas