Prevalence and risk factor associated with Taenia solium cysticercosis among pig farmers in two districts (Amuru and Gulu) in Northern Uganda

Abstract

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a serious public health issue affecting humans in developing countries. The disease affects the rural economies due to the loss in productivity associated with human ill-health and condemnations of infected pork carcasses by the veterinarians. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for porcine cysticercosis in the districts of Amuru and Gulu in Northern Uganda. A cross sectional study was conducted among households rearing pigs in Amuru and Gulu districts in Northern Uganda from March to June, 2019. A total of 569 pigs and 300 households were studied. Data on prevalence and risk factors for T. solium cysticercosis was collected using lingual examinations and questionnaires, respectively. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Chi square. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to detect the independent factors associated with dependent variables. Variables with P< 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. The prevalence of Cysticercus cellulosae was at 13.6% (96% CI: 8.6-18.6). The risk factors associated with porcine cysticercosis transmission in Gulu and Amuru were sex (P=0.044, OR=5.41 (95%CI:1.04-15.24)), pig keeping, (P=0.00, OR=0.56 (95%CI: 0.012-0.25)), routine deworming (P=0.04,OR=1.13 (95%CI:0.032-0.35)) and pig free range (P=0.03, OR=3.843 (95%CI: 1.13-12.71)) and open defecation (P=0.003, OR=0.322(95%CI: 0.003-3.058)). The findings from the current study indicate that the prevalence of porcine T. solium cysticercosis is endemic in Gulu district. The porcine cysticercosis is being influenced by pig farmers, lack of deworming, free range pigs, and allowing pigs to feed on human faeces. There is need for the local to authorities to strengthen public health education on pig husbandry practices and routine meat inspection at these facilities by the health authorities in the region.