Study on prevalence, bacterial pathogens and associated risk factors of bovine mastitis in small holder dairy farms in and around Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with the purpose of determining th e prevalence, bacterial pathogens and the associated risk factors ofbovinemastitisin Small holder dairy farms in and aroundAddis Ababa, Ethiopia . The study was carried out on 499 dairy cows based on data collection questionnaire survey, farm visit, animal examination and California mastitis test (CMT) and isolation of the causative agent. The pres ent study revealed abnormalities of udder as evidence of mastitis in 373(74.7%) cows. Of these 98(19.6%) were clinical and 275 (55.1%) sub clinical form of mastitis. Quarter level prevalence was 5.2% and 42.7% for clinical and sub clinical mastitis, respec tively. The prevalence among successive stage of lactation was 87.2%, 65.9% and 73.1% in early, mid and late lactation, respectively. This variation was statistically significant (P<0.05). Parity and age were also considered as major intrinsic risk factors that influenced prevalence of mastitis .Milking practice and farm hygiene were considered as extrinsic risk factors, where owners who practiced using towel had 62.9 % infection rate and where as those that did not used were affected at a rate of 79.7%.The prevalence of c ows that were managed in poor hygienicconditionwas 82.6%, while those managed under poor hygienic condition showed an infection rate of 59.6%, these prevalence were significantly different(P<0.05). Bacteriological examination of milk s ample revealed the highest isolation rate of Staphylococcus aureusat a rate of 28.8% andMicrococcusshows the least percent 5%. The present study concluded that mastitis was a major health problem of dairy cows in the area whichundoubtedlyaffectproductivity of dairy industry and hence warrants serious attention.