One health epidemiological investigation of bovine cysticercosis and human Taenia saginata taeniasis in selected districts of the Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Bovine cysticercosis and human Taenia saginata taeniasis are neglected zoonotic diseases with significant public health and economic impacts, particularly in developing countries where the consumption of undercooked and raw meat and inadequate sanitation are common. This study provides the first One Health assessment of T. saginata transmission dynamics in the study area. A cross-sectional one health study was conducted in two selected districts of Kellem Wollega Zone (Dambi Dollo and Dale Sadi), Oromia Region, Ethiopia, from January 2025 to November 2025. Active abattoir inspection of 604 cattle was conducted to determine the prevalence, anatomical distribution, and viability of Cysticercus bovis cysts. Additionally, a structured questionnaire survey of 200 randomly selected individuals was conducted to assess the occurrence of T. saginata taeniasis, associated risk factors, and community knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The prevalence of bovine cysticercosis was 6.46% (95% CI 4.76–8.71), with 35.8% of recovered cysts viable. The triceps muscle showed the highest cyst detection rate (3.64%). Multivariable logistic regression indicated that abattoir location was significantly associated with infection ( p  < 0.05), with a higher prevalence in Dale Sadi abattoir (11.36%) than in Dambi Dollo (3.65%). The self-reported lifetime occurrence of T. saginata taeniasis in humans was 23% (95% CI 17.5–29.4). Age, consumption of raw or undercooked beef, and use of rivers or ponds as water sources were significant risk factors ( p  < 0.05). The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey revealed that, although majority of the respondents (78%) were aware of tapeworm infection and its link to raw meat consumption, 55.5% still reported eating raw or undercooked beef. Additionally, 85% of the respondents used uncovered pit latrines increasing the risk of environmental contamination and transmission. In conclusion, the study confirms a persistent  T. saginata  transmission cycle in the study area. Low sanitation standards and the deeply ingrained cultural practice of raw meat consumption sustain the high prevalence. These findings highlight the need for an integrated One Health intervention that targets behavioral modification in addition to infrastructure improvements to prevent transmission.