Prevalence of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Helminth in Dogs and Knowledge of Risk of Infection by Dog Owners in Ibadan, Nigeria

Zoonotic infections are among the most common on earth and are responsible for over 60% of human infectious diseases, some of which are caused by helminth parasites. A study of intestinal zoonotic helminth of dogs and the risk perception by dog owners in veterinary clinics and some settlements around Ibadan, Nigeria was conducted between December 2011 and September 2012. Faecal samples collected from 104 dogs were processed by floatation (centrifugation) and direct smear methods and then examined for the presence of ova and oocyst. Coprological examination revealed that 26 (25%) of dogs examined were infected with both single and mixed zoonotic helminth. The prevalence for the various intestinal zoonotic helminth observed were Ancylostoma caninum (16.35%), Toxocara canis (3.85%) and Mixed ( Ancylostoma, Toxocara and Echinococcus ) (4.81%). The total prevalence indicated 73.1% of infected animals in the rural areas and 26.9% in the urban. Statistically, the prevalence was comparable (p<0.05) for both communities. However, the risk perception of helminthoses among dog owners in Ibadan showed significant difference among communities (p<0.0001). Helminth of importance for human health was moderately prevalent in dogs in Ibadan and most of the respondents were ignorant of dog helminth and its zoonotic risk. Keywords: Prevalence; dog; zoonoses; helminthes; risk perception.