SEROPREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND EQUINE OWNERS AWARENESS OF EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANAEMIA IN HORSES AND DONKEYS IN CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

seroprevalence information of equine infectious anemia in central Ethiopia. To fill this gap, a cross-sectional study was carried out from January to March 2021. The study was carried out to estimate the seroprevalence, risk factors and equine owners’ awareness of equine infectious anemia in horses and donkeys in Ada’a, Minjar Shenkora, Basona Worana and Angolela Tera woreda of central Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from 400 horses and donkeys selected randomly from those of the study woredas. The collected sample was processed using agar gel immunodiffusion test. Risk factors associated with equine infectious anemia were identified using binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis methods. Associations were reported by odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Thus, the overall seroprevalence of equine infectious anemia was 1.5% (95% CI: 0.67–3.30). A seroprevalence of 4.04% (95% CI: 1.51–10.34) in Basona Worana and 1.33% (95% CI: 0.33–5.21) in Minjar Shenkora woredas were found while in Ada’a and Angolela Tera woredas there were no seropositive animal. An increased risk factors of equine infectious anemia was occurred in horses, (AOR 124.75, 95% CI: 1.98–7876.9), in old age group (32.45, 95%CI: 1.27–831.35), absence of sick animal isolations (AOR 55.86, 95% CI: 2.29–1362.7), and outdoor housing of equines (AOR 67.97, 95% CI: 1.17–3962.2). From equine owners 73.75% replied they don’t know EIA. In conclusion, the seroprevalence of equine infectious anemia is low with compared to report of Wogdan 5.58% in selected regions of Sudan. But the prevalence of equine infectious anemia is higher in horses, old age groups, animals kept outdoor and where sick animal isolation is not practiced. Equine owners’ having awareness about equine infectious anemia is relatively lower than not having awareness of it. Thus, increasing on equine owners’ awareness, removing old age groups with humane method, indoor animal housing, and separation of sick animals was prioritized in order to minimize equine infectious anemia seroprevalence in the study woredas, particularly and in central Ethiopia as a whole is better.