title: Risk Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Gastrointestinal Helminths among Indigenous Donkeys (Equus asinus) in Northeastern Nigeria.
abstract: Aim. This survey study was conducted from April 2014 through March 2015 in Bauchi, Yobe, and Gombe states, northeastern Nigeria, to explore the risk factors associated with the occurrence of gastrointestinal helminthosis among indigenous donkeys (Equus asinus). Materials and Methods. A total of six hundred fresh faecal samples were randomly collected from indigenous donkeys of varying age, sex, and settlements. Simple flotation and sedimentation techniques were used for the detection of helminths eggs. Results. Three gastrointestinal nematode parasites were encountered including Strongyle, Parascaris equorum, and Oxyuris equi. An overall prevalence of 98.3% was obtained, of which 78.3%, 40.3%, and 17.5% were, respectively, from Strongyle, Parascaris equorum, and Oxyuris equi. Age, sex, and season were not statistically associated with the risk of helminth infection as were the different study areas (p > 0.05). However, body condition score, settlement, anthelminthic medication history, and management practices were significantly associated with the risk of gastrointestinal helminthosis. Statistically high prevalence of helminthic infections was observed in donkeys, with poor (thin) body condition, from rural settlements, that were not dewormed and raised under poor management systems (p < 0.001). Conclusion. It is concluded from the study that gastrointestinal helminths particularly Strongyle were endemic among the indigenous donkeys in northeastern Nigeria. Further control and preventive measures were discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohammed Jajere
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Jallailudeen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rabana Lawal
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Amina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammed Bello
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Yakaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wakil
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Kashere, PMB 0182, Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Usman
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Aliyu Turaki
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Nomadic Affairs, GSADP Block, Off Bauchi Road, PMB 0010, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Waziri