PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF HELMINTHIASIS IN BACKYARDCHICKEN AT SYLHET DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Chicken helminthiases are endoparasitic infection of chicken which are widely distributed throughout the world and their presence has also been reported in Bangladesh including Sylhet. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2015 to May 2016, to determine the prevalence and case-control study conducted to identify the determinants of chicken helminthiasis. Faecal samples from 150 chicken flocks selected by using simple random sampling scheme from four (4) different upazilas of Sylhet district. Faecal sample were examined by Simple McMaster technique using flotation fluid saturated with NaCl and sugar. The data were collected from survey using a well designed questionnaire. Prevalence were calculated as a proportion of infected flocks in total number of flock tested. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of chicken helminthiasis. Overall prevalence of chicken helminthiasis was 79.33%. Seven nematodes: Ascardia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, Capillaria annulata, Capillaria columbae, Syngamus trachea, Strongyloides avium and Trichostrongylus tenuis and three cestodes: Raillietina cesticillus, Choanotaenia infundibulum and Hymenolepis carioca were found in the tested samples. Capillaria columbae which is commonly known for nematode of pigeon, also found in chicken with prevalence of 16.66%. Among four upazilas Biswanath (91.66%) were most prevalent while Jaintapur (58.33%) was low prevalent area of Sylhet district. The present study identified four significant determinants namely anthelmintic used, environment surrounding the flock, source of water and healthy and sick birds kept together, respectively. The results of this study indicate that chicken helminthiasis is common in Sylhet district and this finding can be used for the treatment and control measures for chicken helminthiasis. However, further investigation should be needed in the study area.