Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2017 to July 2018 on randomly selected
carcasses and human population of the towns to estimate the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis
and human taeniasis respectively at Jigjiga, Babile and Dire Dawa towns and their
corresponding municipal abattoirs, eastern Ethiopia. Active abattoir survey from local zebu and
cross (HF x zebu) cattle presented to Jigjiga, Babile and Dire Dawa abattoirs and questionnaire
surveys data collected were analyzed using STATA release 14.0 software. Out of 1108 inspected
animals, 302 animals had varying number of Cysticercus bovis with prevalence of 27.3%. Jigjiga
had the highest prevalence 33.5% as compared to Babile 31% and Dire Dawa 18%. Among the
examined predilection sites, C. bovis distribution was the highest in liver 9.6%, followed by
tongue 8.5%, masseter 5.1%, shoulder 4.3%, arm muscle 2.5%, heart 2.3%, thigh muscle 1.8%
and diaphragm 0.4%. From the total of 686 C. bovis cysts collected during the study period 289
(42.0%) were found to be viable while the other 397 (58.0%) were non-viable. Three predictors
namely site, age and body condition were found to be significantly associated with C. bovis
detection (p < 0.05). For human taeniasis, among the total of 900 respondents interviewed in
Jigjiga, Babile and Dire Dawa towns 432, 48.0% (95%CI, 44.7-51.3) had contracted Taenia
saginata infestation. From 300 interviewed respondents from each town Babile town 51.6%
(n=155/300) had the highest infestation of T. saginata than Jigjiga 48% (n=144/300) and Dire
Dawa town 44.3% (n=133/300). Risk factors namely occupation, sex, marital status, educational
status and raw beef consumption were found to be significantly associated with T. saginata
infestation (p < 0.05). The findings of this study indicated the importance of bovine cysticercosis
and taeniasis in the study area. Therefore, attention should be given to the public awareness and
detailed meat inspection to be safe to public health and promote meat industry in the country.
