CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 RESULT
Table 1 indicate that the predominant age group among the respondent is 51-60years
(49.7%), then 31-50 (43.3%) while 18-30years (10%) of the respondent. The total individual that
were male was 55(36.7%) and female were 95 (63.3%) provided information in the knowledge
attitude and practices of livestock farmers towards gastrointestinal helminths and anthelmintic
drugs. The most prevalent respondent were literates, primary 54 (36%), secondary 44 (29.3%)
tertiary 32 (21.3%) none 20 (13.3%)
The table also implies that 100 (66.7%) were married followed by divorced 32(21.3%) and
single 18 (12%).

S/N Demography Response Frequency Percentage

categories
1 Sex Male 55 36.7
Female 95 63.3
2 Age 18-30 15 10
31-50 65 43.3
51-60 70 46.7
3 Marital status Single 18 12
Married 100 66.7
Divorced 32 21.3
4 Educational Primary 54 36
status Secondary 44 29.3
Tertiary 32 21.3
None 20 13.3

Table 2 shows larger percentage of respondent 133(88.7%) that knew about gastrointestinal
helminths while 17 (11.3%) knew nothing helminths infection in ruminant animals then 123
(82%) said their animals have been infected with gastrointestinal helminths before while 27
(18%) said their animals have never been infected before. The species of animal that the
respondent keep were sheep and goat. When infected 29 (32.7%) saw sign of diarrhea in the
animal, 36 (24%) saw signs of diarrhea with blood in the animal, 52 (34.7%) saw signs of
inappetent in the animal while 13 (8.7%) said they saw no sign in the animal.
 The management system 88 (58.7%) adopt extensive system in their farm, 55 (36.7%) adopt
intensive system in their farm while 7 (4.7%) adopt semi intensive system in their farm. For the
hygienic practices 112 (75.7) adopt all in all out, 20 (13.3%) practice washing the pen with
disinfectant, 7 (4.7%) practices regular changing of litters, 3 (2%) use slated flooring while 8
(5.3&) did not practice any hygienic system in their farm. When the livestock become sick 98
(65.3%) administer drug then 9 (6%) invite the animal health officer while 43(28.7%) did
nothing. 111 (74%) have heard of anthelmintic, 30 (20%) have not heard about the drug while 9
(6%) don’t know about the drug at all. Sources of information 55 (36.7%) heard from friends, 55
(36.7) heard from animal health officers, 3 (2%) heard from media (radio and television) while 1
(0.17%) heard from Agric extension workers then 27 (18%) heard from other farmers, 9 (6%)
did not have any information on the drug. Types of anthelmintic come across, Albendazole
60(40%) levamisole 38(25.3%) herbal 45(30%) none 7(4.7%)
Used anthelmintic on livestock 96(64%) yes while 54 (36%) no. Correct usage of
anthelmintic 89(59.3%) yes while 61(40.7%) no. Aware of drug withdrawal for anthelmintic 55
(36.7%) yes while 95 (63.3%) no. Heard about anthelmintic resistance 82 (54.7%) said yes while
68 (45.3%) said no. Believe in the use of anthelmintic for farm cattle 117 (78%) said yes, 15
(10%) said no, while 18 (12%) said they don’t know. Believe in the correct usage of anthelmintic
for ruminant, 116 (77.3%) said yes, 5 (3.3%) said no while 29 (19.3) don’t know. Believe that
under dosage of anthelminthic can lead to drug resistance 110(73.3%) agree while 40(26.7%)
disagree. Believe that continuous use of a single anthelminthic in a farm can lead to drug
resistance 79 (52.7%) agree while 71 (47.3%) disagree. How often do you administer
anthelminthic to animals 97(64.7%) said every three months 38 (25.3%) said once in a year
while 15(10%) said none. Who administer drug 69(46%) professional, 71 (47.3%) self, while 9
(6%) none. Route of administration, oral 76 (50.7%) intramuscular, 9(6%) subcutaneous
injection, 6 (4%) others 2 (1.3%). Anthelminthic use on farm, Albendazole 56(37.3%)
levamisole41(27.3%) herbal 45 (30%) none 8 (5.3%). Run egg test, yes 44(29.3%) no 94
(62.7%) don’t know 12(8%). Animal response to anthelminthic, Cured 117(78%) not cured 11
(7.3%) doubtful 14(9.3%) none9 (6%). Response to overdosing, well 66 (44%) not well 75
(50%). Public challenges, distance management and working schedule 73(48.7%) shortage of
drugs and equipment 34(22.7%) unavailability of professional 43(28.7%). Private challenges,
high cost of service 85(56.7%) inadequate qualification 44(29.3%) non professional 21(14%).
Source of anthelminthic, majority got from veterinary drug store 91(60.7%) drug hawkers
21(14%) self 27(18%) several agencies 11 (7.3%).
S/N Questions Response category Frequency Percentage
1 Have you heard about Yes 133 88.7
gastrointestinal helminthic no 17 11.3
2 Do you believe that Agree 115 76.7
gastrointestinal helminthic Disagree 20 13.5
can affect livestock Strongly agree 13 8.7
Strongly disagree 2 1.3
3 Have your animal been Yes 123 82
infected with gastrointestinal no 27 18
helminthic before now
4 What species of ruminant do Cattle
you keep Sheep and goat 150 100
All of the above
other
5 If yes to 7 above what are the Diarrhea 49 32.7
sign you saw in your Diarrhea with blood 36 24
livestock Inappetent 52 34.7
none 13 8.7
6 What management system do Extensive 88 58.7
you adopt in your farm Intensive 55 36.7
Semi intensive 7 4.7
7 What are your hygienic All in all out 112 74.7
practice in your farm Washing the pen with 20 13.3
disinfectant
Regular changing of 7 4.7
litters
None 8 5.3
Using slated flooring 3 2
8 What do you do when your Nothing 43 28.7
livestock become sick with Administer drug 98 65.3
gastrointestinal helminthic Invite the animal
health officers 9 6
9 Have you heard about Yes 111 74
Anthelmintic No 30 20
Don’t know 9 6
10 1f yes, what is your source of Friends 55 36.7
information Animal health 55 36.7
officers
Media (radio and 3 2
television)
Agric extension 1 0.7
None 9 6
Other farmers 27 18
11 What type of Anthelmintic Albendazole 60 40
have you come across Levamisole 38 25.3
Ivermectin
Mamintal permeate
 Herbal 45 30
Other
none 7 4.7
12 Have you used anthelmintic Yes 96 64
on livestock no 54 36
13 Do you know the Correct Yes 89 59.3
usage of anthelmintic No 61 40.7
14 Are you aware of drug Yes 55 36.7
withdrawal period for No 95 63.3
anthelmintic
15 Have you heard about Yes 82 54.7
anthelmintic disease No 68 45.5

16 Do you believe in the use of Yes 117 78

anthelmintic for farm animal No 15 10
don’t know 18 12
17 Do you believe in the correct Yes 116 77.3
usage of anthelmintic drug No 5 3.3
for ruminant Don’t know 29 19.3
18 Do you believe that under Agree 110 73.3
dosage of anthelmintic can Disagree 40 26.7
lead to drug resistance

19 Do you believe that Agree 79 52.7

continuous use of a single Disagree 71 47.3
anthelmintic in a farm can
lead to drug resistance
20 How often do you administer Every 3 months 97 64.7
Anthelmintic to your animals Once in a year 38 25.3
none 15 10
21 Who administer drug Professional 69 46
None 10 6.7
Self 71 46.7

22 What is your route of Non 9 6

administration Oral 76 50.7
Intramuscular 9 6
injection
Subcutaneous 6 4
injection
others 2 1.3
23 What anthelmintic do you use Albendazole 56 37.3
on your farm Levamisole 41 27.3
Ivermectin
Herbal 45 30
Other
 none 8 5.3
24 Do you run an egg count test Yes 44 29.3
before use of anthelmintic for No 94 62.7
your animal Don’t know 12 8
25 What is your animal response Cured 117 78
to anthelmintic Not cured 11 7.3
non 8 5.3
26 How do your animal response Non 9 6
to overdose Well 66 44
Not well 75 50
27 What are your public Distance management 73 48.7
challenges and working schedule
Shortage of drugs and 34 22.7
equipment
Unavailability of 43 28.7
professionals
28 What are your private High cost service 85 56.7
challenges Inadequate 44 29.3
qualification
Non professional 21 14
29 Sources of anthelmintic drug Veterinary drug store 91 60.7
Drug hawkers 21 14
Several agencies 11 7.3
self 27 18

4.2 DISCUSSION
It was observed that gastrointestinal helminth infection was common in the area of survey, this
is due to the fact that farmers in the area had no knowledge of how to take care of their ruminant
animal against helminth infection. When animals (sheep and goat) are crowded in open pens
because majority practices extensive farming with little or no removal of droppings, non
existence veterinary attention or provision of drugs cross infection is surely going to occur.
So the use of anthelmintic drug has been proffered as possible intervention strategy in curbing
and reducing the imapct of gastrointestinal helminth (Bullerdieck, 1996. The study also shows
that female Animals shows higher infection rate that males under same management system this
shows that female animals are more susceptible to helminth infection (Balcarcen and
Garcia1999). Educating the farmers on use of anthelmintic drug is important in order to reduce
helminth infection.