BOVINE CYSTICERCOSIS AND HUMAN TAENIOSIS: PREVALENCE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND COMMUNITY AWARNESS IN AND AROUND HALABA KULITO TOWN, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

bovine cysticercosis is the infection of the cattle intermediate host with the metacestode (larval stage) residing in the muscle while taeniosis is the infection of the human ultimate host with the adult tapeworm which develops in the intestinal lumen. This study aimed to estimate prevalence, public health and economic importance and community awarness in and around halaba kulito town, Central Ethiopia Regional State. Hence, a cross-sectional study was conducted from January to june 2023 on cattle slaughtered at Halaba Kulito municipal abattoir. Retrospective surveys of patients’ demographic data and the results of five years of stool examination were also collected from the diagnostic laboratory record book at Halaba Kulito General Hospital and Health Center. Questionnaire surveys were also used for assessing community awareness of knowledge, attitude, and practice, exposure risk factors, and treatment trends. A retrospective five-year inventory of pharmaceutical drug shops was also assessed. Out of 439 cattle examined, 21(4.8%) were found to be infected with various numbers of Cysticercus bovis in different organs. The prevalence of Cysticercus bovis was significantly associated with age categories (χ2=7.12 p<0.05) while other factors namely (origin, sex, breed and body conditions) did not show an association as predictors. Out of 21 infected cattle, the highest proportion of the Cysticercus bovis cysts were observed in the tongue 7(33.3%), followed by heart 5(23.8%), masseter muscles 3(14.3%), liver 3(14.3%), shoulder 2(9.5%) and lung 1(4.8%). A retrospective data of 40,993 stool examined patients in the five years, 112(0.27%) were found positive for Taenia saginata eggs. Moreover, out of 100 voluntarily interviewed respondents in and surrounding Halaba Kulito town, 64 (64%) had been infected by tapeworm. Data on drug utilization obtained from pharmaceutical shops revealed a total dose of 379,707 taenicidal drugs with a total cost of 2,823,766.5 ETB or (48,685.5 USD) was estimated on average within five years for the treatment of taeniasis in the study area. The results of the present study show that cysticercosis/taeniosis are important both in economic and public health aspects which need great attention. Therefore integrated community-based control and prevention strategies including creating awerness for the society to use latrine, avoid consumption of raw meat, and provide strict meat inspection services are highly recommended.