INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCE RESEARCH
IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Helminthosis remains one of the major constraints to small ruminant production in tropical and subtropical regions, resulting in substantial economic losses through reduced productivity, poor growth performance, decreased reproductive efficiency, and mortality. This study investigated the epidemiology of helminth infections in sheep and goats slaughtered at the Central Abattoir, Kano State, Nigeria. A total of 6,050 small ruminants comprising 2,800 sheep and 3,250 goats were examined for gastrointestinal helminth infections using standard parasitological procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis to determine associations between infection prevalence and host-related factors. The overall prevalence of helminthosis was 66.12% (4,000/6,050). Sheep recorded a significantly higher prevalence (69.64%) than goats (63.08%) (χ² = 27.56; p<0.001). Young animals showed significantly higher infection rates (81.25%) compared with adults (56.16%) (χ² = 386.42; p<0.001). Male animals were more infected (73.58%) than females (60.29%) (χ² = 118.54; p<0.001). Infection prevalence also varied significantly with body condition score (χ² = 603.47; p<0.001). Haemonchus spp. was the most prevalent parasite (43.75%), followed by Strongyloides spp. (25.00%), Fasciola spp. (12.50%), Trichostrongylus spp. (7.50%), Oesophagostomum spp. (7.50%), and Moniezia spp. (3.75%). The study demonstrates the high burden of helminth infections among slaughtered sheep and goats in Kano and highlights the need for strategic parasite control programs, improved management practices, and routine deworming interventions.