Prevalence and Diversity of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Native and Blended Goats from Mpwapwa District, Tanzania

Gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) in goats pose a global challenge, resulting in significant negative impacts that affect health, productivity, and economic value. These parasites include nematodes, cestodes, and protozoa. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in goats found in Mpwapwa District. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Mpwapwa District from February to April 2025. A total of 200 faecal samples were obtained and analysed to detect gastrointestinal parasites. Additionally, a structured questionnaire was used to gather information from farmers on factors that might be linked to gastrointestinal parasitic infestations. The findings revealed a wide diversity of GIP in the study area, with a total of 11 GIP genera identified. The overall prevalence of GIP in goats was 61.5%. Breed-wise, Blended goats had a significantly (p<0.05) higher rate of gastrointestinal parasite infestation (71.3%) compared to Gogo goats (52.8%). Based on age, the prevalence was 65.6% in young animals and 59.6% in adults (p>0.05). Additionally, the physiological status of animals was significantly (p<0.05) associated with the prevalence of GIP. The body condition score did not influence parasitic prevalence (p>0.05). The most prevalent parasite was <i>Trichostrongylus</i> spp. At 42.3%, followed <i>by Haemonchus</i> and <i>Eimeria</i> spp., with prevalence of 18.2% and 12.4%, respectively. The current study revealed a high prevalence of parasites, indicating that GIP are a major challenge in goat production in the study area. Therefore, the application of proper control measures is recommended for the welfare of the goat production, but also addresses parasites that have zoonotic significance.