Investigation of Climatic and Non-climatic Risk Factors of Fasciola gigantica Infection in Slaughtered Cattle Based on a Cross Sectional Survey in Sokoto State, Nigeria

<p dir="ltr"><b>Aim:</b> This study presents the first effort at identifying the effects of both climatic and non-climatic factors on fascioliasis infection in slaughtered cattle at an abattoir in Sokoto state.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Study Design:</b> Two questionnaires were administered to elicit relevant information regarding the parameters of each slaughtered cattle and the socio-demographic status of the owners of each slaughtered cattle. Faecal and bile samples were collected from each slaughtered cattle.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Place and Duration of Study:</b> A cross-sectional survey applied to investigate risk determinants of 300 slaughtered cattle at abattoirs in the study area.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Methodology:</b> Binary logistic regression was used to determine risk determinants for infections.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Results:</b> Results indicate that of 300 faecal samples from the slaughtered cattle in 10 provinces revealed that 92 (30.7%) were positive for the presence of <i>F. gigantica</i> parasite while 208 (69.3%) were unaffected. Age of cattle was found to be more likely to fascioliasis infection (or: 1.0498; 95% ci: 1.0305-1.0695) than the younger ones. The breed of cattle was associated with an increased likelihood of infection with <i>F. gigantica</i><i> </i>(or: 1.5934; 95% ci: 1.0641-2.3860). Male cattle were 0.6 times less likely to be infected with <i>F. gigantica</i> (or: 0.6213; 95% ci: 0.3302-1.1688) than female cattle. similarly, cattle belonging to fulani were more likely to be infected with <i>F. gigantica</i> (or: 3.1229; 95% ci: 1.7959-5.4303) than those cattle that belonged to hausa/zabarma ethnic groups. In terms of climatic variables, elevation has an association with increased likelihood of infection with <i>F. gigantica</i> infections (or: 1.0004; 95% ci: 0.9796-1.0216).</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Conclusion:</b> This study demonstrated that sokoto state is endemic area for <i>Fasciola gigantica</i> infections and it recommends the need to formulate appropriate strategies to control the disease.</p>