Farmer's risk perception, and seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in small ruminants and backyard chickens in selected districts of West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis, caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite T. gondii, is a widespread and neglected zoonotic disease with significant health and economic impacts that affects nearly one-third of the global human population. A cross-sectional survey and questionnaire study was conducted from May 2023 to December 2023 to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in small ruminants and backyard chickens in Bahir Dar Zuria and Sekella Districts, Northwest Ethiopia. The study aimed to identify risk factors and assess risk perceptions of the farmers’ towards the disease. Furthermore, animal owners were provided with a structured questionnaire to collect data on household demographics and animal management practices, and checklists were employed to record individual animal level factors along with the collection of serum samples. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select small ruminants and backyard chickens from the study population. A total of 541 serum samples from small ruminants and backyard chickens were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercially available latex agglutination test kit. One hundred and ninety one samples tested positive for the presence of T. gondii antibodies, resulting in an overall animal-level seroprevalence of 35.31% (95% CI= 0.314 - 0.395). The prevalence of T. gondii varied significantly between the two districts (OR = 2.78, 95%CI = 1.893 - 4.072 and P = 0.000). The prevalence of T. gondii infection was found to be significantly influenced by management practices (OR=2.85; 95%CI: 1.532- 5.308, P= 0.001), with extensively managed small ruminants being three times more likely to be affected by T. gondii compared to semi-intensively managed small ruminants. Compared to exotic chicken breeds, the local breed of backyard chickens were four times more likely to acquire a T. gondii infection (OR= 4.61, 95%CI: 1.951 -10.869, P= 0.000). Backyard chickens were two times more likely at risk of acquiring a T. gondii infection (OR= 2.035; 95%CI: 1.389 - 2.979, P = 0.000) when compared to small ruminants. Small ruminants and backyard chickens in close contact with cats were found to have significantly higher risks of acquiring a T. gondii infection compared to those with limited or no cat exposure. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate a high prevalence of T. gondii in the animals sampled in the current study sites. Furthermore, multiple risk factors influencing the prevalence of T. gondii infection were investigated. The increased prevalence and poor awareness of the disease among the participants could have a significant impact on the health of people and other animals in the study areas, highlighting the necessity for evidence-based integrated strategies and promotion of behaviour change to control and prevent T. gondii infection in both humans and other animals in the West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia.