Prevalence of Cysticercus Bovis in Hawassa Municipal Abattoir and its Public Health Implication

A cross sectional study on the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in Hawassa municipal abattoir was conducted from October 2011 to March 2012 with the objectives of determining the prevalence of Cysticercus bovis cyst viability and cyst distribution in different organs/tissues and public health implication of Taenia saginata Cysticercosis. Questionnaire survey and inventory of pharmaceutical drug shops were also used to determine human taeniasis and associated financial losses. Ante and post mortem examination of 384 cattle at the abattoir showed prevalence of 22.9% (88) for cysticercosis. Of the total cysticerci collected, 55 (62.5%) were found to be viable while 33(37.5%) were non-viable. The percentage of Cysticercus bovis cysts in different organs was observed as 67.74% in tongue, 52% in shoulder, 60% in heart and 75% in masseter muscle, respectively. Result indicated that only age groups are highly significant effect (p<0.003). But sex, body condition, origin and breed of animals didn’t have significant effect (p>0.05) on prevalence of cysticercosis. The prevalence of taeniasis among interviewed respondents of Hawassa town was44%. Result indicated that the sex, occupation, educational level, eating habit and martial status should be showed highly significant effect (p<0.05). But age groups and religion didn’t have significant effect (p>0.05) on prevalence of the disease; however, statistically significant difference was observed in the disease prevalence between raw and cooked meat eaters. For the years 2008 and 2009, a total worth of 184,406 ETB was estimated from a sale of 92,203 adult taenicidal drugs. The result of this study revealed that taeniasis was a wide spread public health problem in the study area which needs due attention to safeguard the public.