Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths infection in cattle based on breed, sex, age, location and management system

Helminths are parasitic worms that live in the animals or humans that feed on the host to obtain nourishment and protection, sometimes causing morbidity and mortality if not treated. A cross sectional study was carried out to determine the distribution/prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal (GI) nematode parasitism in cattle in three Local Government Areas of Nasarawa North, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 300 faecal samples of cattle of different sexes and ages were collected and examined for GI nematode eggs using floatation techniques. Descriptive Statistics was used to determine the prevalence rate through percentage and frequency distribution. The degree of association between the considered variables was determined using Chi-square test statistics. A total of 144 (48.00%) animals were positive for single or mixed infection with GI nematodes. The result of faecal examination revealed eggs of Trichostrongylus, Oesophagustomum, Cooperia and Haemonchus species. The results indicated that breed, sex and location had no significant (P >0.05) effect on the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes except for age and management system. The results for age had significant (P<0.05) effect with young cattle showing slightly higher prevalence with 52 out of 103 (50.49%), adult: 46 out of 97 (47.42%), old: 46 out of 100 (46.00%). The extensive system had 105 out of 150 (70.00%) as positive, intensive: 39 out of 150 (26.00%) were positive for gastrointestinal nematodes. In conclusion, age and management system significantly affected the prevalence, while breed, sex, and location had no significant impact. To reduce the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths, it is recommended to improve management practices, particularly for cattle under extensive systems, and consider age-related susceptibility in helminth control programs.