# Cattle Schistosomiasis With Farmers′ Practice Regarding the Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Trematodes in Maya City, Eastern Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study examines cattle schistosomiasis prevalence and farmers' hygiene practices in Ethiopia to address zoonotic trematode risks.

## Contribution

The study identifies risk factors for cattle schistosomiasis and evaluates farmers' practices in Eastern Ethiopia.

## Key findings

- 18.44% of cattle in Maya City were infected with schistosomiasis.
- Old age and poor body condition in cattle were significant risk factors for infection.
- Only 12.5% of farmers practiced positive measures for preventing zoonotic trematodes.

## Abstract

In developing countries like Ethiopia, zoonotic trematodes have a significant economic impact on the animal and public health sectors. To determine the prevalence of cattle schistosomiasis with farmers′ practices toward the prevention and control of zoonotic trematodes, a cross‐sectional study was conducted among 423 cattle and 120 farmers in Maya City between October 2023 and May 2024 using simple random sampling. Out of 423 cattle, 78 (18.44%, 95% CI 15.01–22.44) were positive for schistosomiasis. For crossbred cattle (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.14–0.73), old age (OR: 3.64, 95% CI: 1.74–7.63), poor body condition (OR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.36–17.73), and extensive management (OR: 4.71, 95% CI: 2.53–8.76) were statistically significant factors for the prevalence of cattle schistosomiasis; however, sex, subcity, and farming type had no significant association with the prevalence of the diseases. Even though all farmers have a latrine in their home, 64.2% of the respondents defecated openly in the bush or in and around water. Most (80.8%) farmers also eat raw fish and raw vegetables, and around half of them (45%) did not clean the feeding and watering troughs of their animals regularly. Cattle farmers′ overall level of positive practice was 12.5%. The respondents′ education level had a significant association with positive practice, but gender, farming experience, marital status, age group, income per month, and subcity had no significant association. Cattle farmers′ practice toward the prevention and control of zoonotic trematodes is very low in Maya City; therefore, to mitigate the burden of this disease in animals and humans at the same time, promoting a one health approach is encouraged in Eastern Ethiopia.