Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted in sheep and goats that were kept under an extensive management system in Kulubi town, Meta Woreda of East Haraghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, from November 2018 to May 2019 to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal helminths (GIT). A total of 384 randomly sampled sheep and goats (198 sheep and 186 goats) were subjected to coprological examination using simple floatation and sedimentation techniques. Based on this, the overall prevalence of GIT helminths in sheep and goats was 58.9% (226/384). Out of the total sampled animals, the prevalence of 59.09% (117/198) and 58.6% (109/186) were recorded in sheep and goats, respectively. Based on a coprological examination, in the study area, the prevalence of 20.2%, 10.6%, 10.6%, 8.08%, 6.58%, and 3.03% accounted for Strongyle, Trichostrongylus, mixed-type, Trichuris, Strongyloides, and Fasciola eggs detected in sheep and 18.8%, 8.6%, 8.06%, 8.06%, 6.45%, 5.4%, and 3.23% accounted for Strongyle, Trichostrongylus, Fasciola, Paramphistomum, Trichuris, Nematodirus, and Strongyloides eggs were detected in goats. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the prevalence of the parasites between different species and the sex of the animals. However, the age and body condition score of the animals has shown a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). In general, some amount of high prevalence of helminth parasites was observed in the study area, which implies helminths are the major constraints for the productivity of small ruminants. Therefore, economically feasible, effective management, and strategic de-worming of animals should be implemented for the prevention and control of the disease.