An Investigation of the Common Factors Affecting Disease Incidence in Dairy Cows: A Case Study of Smallholder Dairy Farms in Shashemene District

Dairy farming played a vital role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, but disease incidence remained a major challenge, affecting productivity and farm profitability. This study investigated the common factors influencing disease occurrence in dairy cows, focusing on smallholder farms in Shashemene District. A cross-sectional study design was employed, combining survey questionnaires, key informant interviews, and direct farm observations to assess disease prevalence and management practices. A total of 17 rural kebeles were selected using stratified random sampling, and statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, were conducted to identify significant risk factors. The results indicated that mastitis (35.2%), gastrointestinal parasites (41.8%), and foot and mouth disease (28.7%) were the most prevalent diseases. Poor farm management practices, including poor hygiene (67.2%), lack of vaccination (58.4%), and seasonal feed shortages (63.0%), were found to be strongly associated with disease incidence (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis further identified poor hygiene (OR = 3.12), lack of vaccination (OR = 2.81), and overcrowding (OR = 2.45) as significant predictors of disease occurrence. Additionally, qualitative findings from key informant interviews highlighted limited veterinary services, economic constraints, and traditional disease management practices as major challenges faced by farmers. This study concluded that improved farm hygiene, regular vaccination, better feed management, and enhanced veterinary services were critical for reducing disease prevalence in smallholder dairy farms. The findings provided important insights for policymakers, veterinarians, and agricultural extension workers in developing targeted interventions to enhance livestock health and productivity. Further research was recommended to assess the long-term impact of improved disease control strategies on dairy farm profitability.