Prevalence of Bovine Fasciolosis and Its Associated Risk Factors in and Around Hawassa Town, Ethiopia

Fasciolosis is an economically important disease of domestic livestock, particularly in cattle. A cross‐sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and assess associated risk factors of bovine fasciolosis in and around Hawassa Town from December 2023 to May 2024. A total of 312 cattle were randomly selected, and fecal samples were collected and examined using sedimentation techniques. Descriptive statistics, chi‐square ( X 2 ) test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. In the present study, the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was found to be 19.6% ( n = 61/312; 95% CI: 10.98–28.2). The prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was highest in Chafe (30.2%), followed by Tabor (20.5%), Tula (12.7%), and Dato (11.1%) in the study area. Among the associated factors considered in this study, sex ( p = 0.026; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.92), medium body condition score ( p = <0.001; AOR = 6.63) and deworm history ( p = 0.014; AOR = 6.09) of the study animals were identified as the real associated factors for the occurrence of bovine fasciolosis in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Male animals were 1.92 times more likely to be infected with Fasciola than female animals (AOR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.08–3.41), and the odds of study animals having a poor body condition score were 6.63 (AOR = 6.63; 2.87–13.98) times more likely to be infected by Fasciola infection than animals having a good body condition score. Similarly, the odds of nondewormed cattle were 6.09 times more likely to develop Fasciola infection than dewormed cattle (AOR = 6.09; 95% CI = 1.44–25.92). The present study indicated that bovine fasciolosis is a prevalent parasitic disease affecting the health and productivity of cattle in Hawassa and its surrounding. Hence, further epidemiological investigation and periodic Fasciola deworming programs should be carried out in those study areas.