Eco-epidemiology and Zoonotic Implication of Intestinal Nematode Parasites in Humans and Dogs in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Eco-epidemiology and Zoonotic Implication of Intestinal Nematode Parasites in Humans and Dogs in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Eco-epidemiology and Zoonotic Implication of Intestinal Nematode Parasites in Humans and Dogs in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia Robera Chemeda, Dinadig Nura, Tekalign Tadesse, Solomon Shiferaw, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7554162/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Nematode parasites can lead to severe health complications and have zoonotic potential, especially in areas with close human–animal interactions and poor sanitation. This study investigates the prevalence of nematode parasites, identifies potential risk factors, and examines their zoonotic relationships between humans and domestic dogs. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2023 to June 2024. A total of 310 dog fecal samples and 384 human stool samples were selected using a simple random sampling approach. The samples were examined using flotation and sedimentation techniques. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was used to assess dog owners' awareness of the zoonotic potential of canine intestinal parasites. Results Out of 310 dogs examined, 171 (55.2%) were positive for zoonotic nematodes. The most commonly detected species were Ancylostoma caninum (31.3%), Toxocara canis (21.9%), Strongyloides stercoralis (11.0%), and Toxascaris leonina (1.3%). Among the 384 children examined, only 3 (0.8%) were infected with Strongyloides stercoralis . No significant difference was found in overall parasite prevalence between local and exotic dog breeds ( p > 0.05), but Ancylostoma caninum prevalence showed significant variation with age and sex ( p < 0.05). The detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in children did not correspond with the infection patterns in household dogs, indicating other environmental or behavioral factors may contribute. From the survey, only 26% of respondents were aware of the parasitic zoonotic risk associated with dogs, while 77.9% were aware of rabies. Conclusions The study shows a high burden of zoonotic nematode infections in dogs and a substantial lack of awareness among dog owners. It underscore the importance of One Health measures; education, hygiene, and regular deworming to curb zoonotic transmission and safeguard public health. Health sciences/Diseases Health sciences/Medical research Biological sciences/Microbiology Biological sciences/Zoology Dogs Children Nematode Zoonosis Central Ethiopia Introduction The human–animal bond, particularly the relationship between humans and domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ), is one of the oldest and most significant inter-species associations, deeply embedded in many cultures worldwide, including Ethiopia. Dogs are valued for their companionship, emotional support, and utility in safeguarding property, assisting with herding livestock, and enhancing social well-being (Degeling et al. , 2016; Powell et al., 2018 ). As urbanization increases and lifestyles evolve, the number of households keeping dogs as domestic animals continues to rise, leading to more frequent and closer contact between humans and dogs (Wood et al. , 2015; Oliveira et al., 2020 ). Recent evidence from Ethiopia also reflects this trend, with studies reporting an increase in domestic dog ownership alongside the persistence of free-roaming populations (Mekuriaw et al., 2023 ; Tadele et al., 2024 ). While this relationship offers undeniable emotional and practical benefits, it also presents considerable public health risks, particularly due to the zoonotic pathogens dogs may harbor. Among the major health concerns associated with canine ownership are intestinal nematode parasites, which are widely recognized for their zoonotic potential. Several nematodes of veterinary importance, such as Ancylostoma caninum , Toxocara canis , Toxascaris leonina , and Strongyloides stercoralis , are not only prevalent in dogs but also pose a significant threat to human health (Bowman et al. , 2016; Moskvina & Ermolenko, 2016; Traversa, 2018 ). These parasites are associated with a range of diseases in humans, including eosinophilic enteritis, cutaneous larva migrans, and visceral or ocular larva migrans (Macpherson, 2019 ; Despommier, 2016 ). Recent surveys in Ethiopia confirm that Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis remain among the most frequently detected parasites in domestic dogs, underscoring their relevance to public health (Kassaw et al., 2024 ; Tadele et al., 2024 ). Children are particularly vulnerable to these infections due to behavioral and physiological factors. Their frequent play in contaminated environments such as sandpits, public parks, and backyards increases their exposure to infective stages of parasites. Additionally, limited awareness of hygiene, the habit of placing fingers or objects in their mouths, and close physical interactions with pets (such as licking and petting) elevate their risk of infection (Overgaauw & van Knapen, 2015 ; Lee et al., 2016 ). Most human infections result from the ingestion of infective eggs or larvae or percutaneous penetration via contaminated soil, water, or surfaces (Ma et al., 2018 ; Pham-Duc et al., 2020 ). Recent Ethiopian studies further suggest that children in peri-urban and rural settings are at heightened risk, given the high burden of soil contamination with helminth eggs where free-roaming dogs defecate (Mekuriaw et al., 2023 ). Environmental contamination with infective parasitic stages—especially helminth eggs and larvae—is exacerbated in communities with inadequate veterinary care, poor sanitation, and limited awareness about parasite transmission. In many developing countries, including Ethiopia, the presence of free-roaming and stray dog populations, often lacking routine veterinary treatment such as deworming, plays a significant role in sustaining the transmission cycle of zoonotic parasites (Ayden et al., 2017 ; Macpherson, 2019 ). Consequently, both urban and rural populations are at increased risk, particularly those in close contact with dogs in resource-limited settings. Numerous studies in Ethiopia have reported a high prevalence of canine intestinal nematodes across various regions. For example, the 2021 study in Hawassa found that 56% of dogs were infected with gastrointestinal helminths, with Strongyloides , Ancylostoma spp. , Trichuris vulpis , and Toxocara canis being the most common (Mekuriaw et al., 2023 ). In central Ethiopia (Bishoftu, Dukem, Addis Ababa, and Sheno), 53.1% of sampled dogs harbored gastrointestinal parasites, with Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara canis predominating (Tadele et al., 2024 ). Similarly, in Gondar town, 23% of dogs carried gastrointestinal nematodes, with Ancylostoma species being the most frequent, and infection risk strongly associated with younger age, poor condition, and inadequate housing (Kassaw et al., 2024 ). These findings highlight both the widespread nature of canine parasitic infections in Ethiopia and the ongoing gaps in public awareness and preventive practices such as regular deworming and responsible pet ownership. Despite the growing evidence of zoonotic parasitic infections in dogs in different Ethiopian towns, there is still a dearth of integrated studies that assess both canine and human infection status simultaneously. Even fewer studies (Mulat et al., 2024 ; Tessema et al. , 2024; Debebe et al., 2020 ; Shiferaw et al., 2023 ; Zewude, 2023 ; Astolfi et al., 2020 ; Li et al., 2018 ) have focused on the pediatric population, who are at the highest risk of exposure. In particular, towns like Ambo and Ginchi in the West Shoa Zone have received limited research attention, even though dogs are commonly kept for both economic and social purposes in these areas. Moreover, comprehensive assessments of the knowledge and practices of dog owners in relation to zoonotic nematode parasites remain limited. Materials and methods Study area The study was conducted from June 2023 to June 2024 in Ambo and Ginchi towns, located in the West Shoa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. These two towns were purposively selected due to their differences in climate, altitude, and urban dog-human interaction dynamics. Ambo town is the administrative capital of both Ambo District and West Shoa Zone. It lies approximately 114 km west of Addis Ababa, at latitudes 8°56′30″ to 8°59′30″ N and longitudes 37°47′30″ to 37°55′15″ E. The town's altitude ranges from 1900 to 2275 meters above sea level. It has a mild climate with annual temperatures ranging from 19°C to 29°C, a mean annual temperature of 22°C, and an average annual rainfall of about 900 mm (AARDB, 2020 ). Ginchi town, situated approximately 83 km west of Addis Ababa, serves as the administrative center of Dandi District. It is located at approximately 9°01′60″ N latitude and 38°09′0″ E longitude. The elevation ranges from 2236 to 2273 meters above sea level. The town experiences a cooler climate, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 19°C, a mean temperature of 17°C, and annual rainfall averaging 880 mm (CSA, 2023 ). Study population The study population consisted of household-owned dogs and children residing in the selected towns. All local and exotic dog breeds of either sex and various age groups were considered. Dogs were categorized into three age groups based on Bone ( 1988 ): puppies (≤ 6 months), young dogs (6 months–1 year), and adults (> 1 year). Children included in the study were between 1 and 8 years of age, further grouped into preschool-aged (< 4 years) and school-aged (4–8 years). In total, fecal samples were collected from 310 dogs and stool samples from 384 children. Study design A cross-sectional study design was used to estimate the prevalence of major zoonotic nematode parasites among household dogs and children, identify associated risk factors, and assess the level of awareness among dog owners regarding the zoonotic implications of intestinal helminths. Parasitological examination was conducted using standard fecal flotation techniques, while a structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on dog management practices, hygiene, and owner knowledge of zoonotic transmission. Sample size determination The sample size for household dogs was determined using the formula by Thrusfield ( 2007 ), considering an expected prevalence (P) of 72% based on Endrias et al. (2010), a 95% confidence level (Z = 1.96), and a 5% desired absolute precision (d). Accordingly, 310 dogs were sampled. For children, due to the absence of prior prevalence data in the study areas, a 50% expected prevalence was assumed with the same confidence level and precision, yielding a sample size of 384. The total sample sizes were proportionally allocated based on estimated household dog populations: Ambo (n = 5500) and Ginchi (n = 1298), totaling 6798. As a result, 251 dogs and 311 children were sampled from Ambo, while 59 dogs and 73 children were sampled from Ginchi. Sampling technique and sample ollection A simple random sampling method was used to select both dogs and children. Fresh fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum or top layers of recently voided feces using gloved hands into labeled, clean, dry universal bottles. Stool samples from children were collected using clean, wide-mouthed, labeled plastic cups. In households without children, stool samples were obtained from neighboring children with parental consent. Each sample was labeled with a unique ID and information such as date, town, age, sex, and breed of the dog and child, as well as management practices. Approximately 10 grams of each sample was placed in sterile containers, stored in an icebox, and transported to the Parasitology Laboratory of Ambo University College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture for examination. If immediate analysis was not possible, samples were preserved in 10% formalin. Laboratory examination All fecal and stool samples were examined using the flotation technique with saturated sodium chloride solution to identify nematode eggs. About 3 grams of sample was mixed with 42 ml of flotation fluid in a mortar, thoroughly homogenized, and strained through a tea strainer into a beaker to remove debris. The filtrate was poured into a centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 3 minutes. After centrifugation, additional flotation fluid was added to form a meniscus, and a coverslip was placed on top of the tube and left for 3–5 minutes. The cover-slip was then transferred to a glass slide and examined under a compound microscope at 10× magnification. Eggs were identified morphologically to the genus or species level using standard identification keys (Hendrix, 2003 ). Questionnaire survey A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 384 selected household members through face-to-face interviews. It was designed to collect information on dog ownership, feeding practices, deworming history, housing and hygiene conditions, as well as participants’ awareness of zoonotic intestinal parasites and their transmission routes. The questionnaire was first developed in English, translated into local languages (Amharic and Afan Oromo), and later re-translated into English for consistency in analysis. Only households that consented to participate and completed the questionnaire were included in the analysis. Data management and analysis All data collected from laboratory examinations and questionnaires were coded and entered into Microsoft Excel 2016 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to summarize data and estimate prevalence. Associations between infection prevalence and potential risk factors (e.g., age, sex, breed, study area and hygiene practices) were evaluated using chi-square tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the strength and significance of associations. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results Fecal examination of household dogs Out of 310 fecal samples collected from household dogs, 171 (55.2%) were found to harbor single or mixed infections with zoonotic nematode parasites. Four species of zoonotic nematodes were identified during the study period: Ancylostoma caninum , Toxocara canis , Strongyloides stercoralis , and Toxascaris leonina . Ancylostoma caninum was the most prevalent parasite, detected in 97 dogs (31.3%), and followed by Toxocara canis in 68 dogs (21.9%), Strongyloides stercoralis in 34 dogs (11.0%), and Toxascaris leonina in 4 dogs (1.3%) (Table 1). Table 1. Prevalence of nematode parasites in dogs with respect to different risk factors Species Breed Sex Age Study areas Local Exotic Male Female Puppies Young Adult Ambo town Ginchi town A. caninum 82 (32.3%) 15 (26.8%) 43 (25.9%) 54 (37.5%) 13 (38.2%) 33 (54.1%) 51(23.7%) 78 (31.1%) 19 (32.2%) T. leonina 4 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.2%) 2 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.6%) 3(1.4%) 3 (1.2%) 1 (1.7%) T. canis 56 (22.0%) 12 (21.4%) 40 (24.1%) 28 (19.4%) 16 (47.1%) 20 (32.8%) 32(14.9%) 51 (20.3%) 17 (28.8%) S. stercoralis 30 (11.8%) 4 (7.1%) 16 (9.6%) 18 (12.5%) 5 (14.7%) 4 (6.6%) 25(11.6%) 22 (8.8%) 12 (20.3%) Positive cases with a single zoonotic nematode infection accounted for 106 dogs (34.2%). Mixed infections involving two and three species were detected in 48 (15.5%) and 17 (5.5%) dogs, respectively. No cases of concurrent infection with all four identified species were observed. A total of 139 dogs (44.8%) tested negative for all zoonotic nematode parasites examined. According to the findings of this study, there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of the four major zoonotic nematode parasites Ancylostoma caninum (31.3%), Toxascaris leonina (1.3%), Toxocara canis (21.9%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (11.0%)—between local and exotic breeds. It should be noted, however, that the majority of the dogs examined were of local breeds. For Toxascaris leonina , Toxocara canis, and Strongyloides stercoralis , no significant differences (P > 0.05) in prevalence were observed between male and female dogs. In contrast, Ancylostoma caninum showed a significant sex-based difference (P = 0.028), with female dogs more frequently infected than males (37.5% vs. 25.9%) (Table 2). Table 2. Prevalence of zoonotic nematode parasites in dogs by breed and sex Zoonotic nematode species Breed Sex Local (%) Exotic (%) p-value (χ²) Male (%) Female (%) p-value (χ²) A. caninum 82 (32.3) 15 (26.8) 0.645 (0.422ᵃ) 43 (25.9) 54 (37.5) 0.028* (4.823ᵃ) T. leonina 4 (1.6) 0 (0.0) 0.893 (0.345ᵃ) 2 (1.2) 2 (1.4) 0.886 (0.021ᵃ) T. canis 56 (22.0) 12 (21.4) 0.919 (0.010ᵃ) 40 (24.1) 28 (19.4) 0.324 (0.974ᵃ) S. stercoralis 30 (11.8) 4 (7.1) 0.312 (1.024ᵃ) 16 (9.6) 18 (12.5) 0.421 (0.647ᵃ) The findings indicate that among the major zoonotic nematode parasites identified in this study, Ancylostoma caninum showed a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) with both sex and age group. Likewise, Toxocara canis exhibited a significant variation (P < 0.05) with respect to age, with puppies being more likely to be infected than young or adult dogs. Strongyloides stercoralis demonstrated a significant association (P 0.05) with any of the risk factors considered (Table 3). Table 3. Prevalence of zoonotic nematode parasites by age group and study area in dogs. Zoonotic nematode parasites Age group Study area Puppies Young Adult p-value (χ²) Ambo town Ginchi town p-value (χ²) A. caninum 13 (38.2%) 33 (54.1%) 51 (23.7%) .000 (21.252ᵃ) 78 (31.1%) 19 (32.2%) .867 (.028ᵃ) T. leonina 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.6%) 3 (1.4%) .771 (.521ᵃ) 3 (1.2%) 1 (1.7%) .760 (.094ᵃ) T. canis 16 (47.1%) 20 (32.8%) 32 (14.9%) .000 (22.971ᵃ) 51 (20.3%) 17 (28.8%) .156 (2.013ᵃ) S. stercoralis 5 (14.7%) 4 (6.6%) 25 (11.6%) .407 (1.798ᵃ) 22 (8.8%) 12 (20.3%) .010 (6.553ᵃ) Stool examination of household children Of the 384 stool samples collected and examined, 3 (0.8%) tested positive for zoonotic nematode parasites, while 381 (99.2%) were free from such infections. The only zoonotic nematode parasite identified was Strongyloides stercoralis . This finding did not correspond with the positivity rates observed in household dogs. However, other non-zoonotic, human-origin nematode parasites were detected among household and school-aged children during the study period. The prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis among children was low and showed no significant association with sex, age group, or study area (Table 4). Table 4. Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis among household and school-aged children by sex, age group, and study area Variable Category Positive Cases (N/%) p-value (χ²) Sex Male 2 (0.9%) 0.722 (0.127ᵃ) Female 1 (0.6%) Age Group Household 3 (1.6%) 0.080 (3.055ᵃ) School age 0 (0.0%) Study Area Ambo 3 (1.0%) 0.400 (0.710ᵃ) Ginchi 0 (0.0%) Overall — 3 (0.8%) — Questionnaire survey A total of 384 respondents were selected, and all completed the distributed questionnaires properly, yielding a 100% response rate. Majority of respondents 311 (81%) from Ambo, and 73 (19%) from Ginchi. Among respondents, 219 (57%) were female and 165 (43%) were male, suggesting that women comprised the majority of dog owners and were more involved in dog management than men. Regarding educational attainment, 15.1% of respondents had no formal education, 29.2% completed primary school, 33.6% completed secondary education, and 22.1% had tertiary education. The largest proportion of dog owners (33.6%) had completed secondary education (Table 5). Dog-keeping practices, knowledge, and awareness of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites Among the 384 respondents, the largest proportion, 151 (39.3%), had kept dogs for 5–10 years. Most dogs were semi-confined, with 237 (61.7%) kept under this housing condition. Regarding hygiene, a majority of owners, 282 (73.4%), cleaned their dogs’ living areas on a weekly basis. In terms of feeding practices, 314 (81.8%) primarily fed their dogs raw meat. For feces disposal, nearly half of the respondents, 187 (48.7%), disposed of dog feces in toilets. Finally, the predominant reason for dog ownership was security, cited by 307 (79.9%) of respondents (Table 5). Table 5. Descriptive analysis of owners’ knowledge and awareness of gastrointestinal parasites Question Response Category Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Mean Std. Dev. How long have you been keeping dog? 10 years 85 22.1 What is the housing condition of your dogs? Confined (indoor) 118 30.7 1.77 0.574 Semi-confined (partial) 237 61.7 Not confined (outdoor) 29 7.6 At what intervals do you clean the house of your dogs? Weekly 282 73.4 1.27 0.442 Every two weeks to one month 102 26.6 What kind of meat you take to your dogs? Raw meat 314 81.8 1.36 0.773 Both raw and cooked 70 18.2 Where does your dog spend most of the time All time indoors 100 26.0 1.91 0.749 Half time indoors 247 64.3 Living inside with owners 10 2.6 Outside the compound 27 7.0 How do you dispose the faeces from your dogs? Disposed in household garbage 166 43.2 1.65 0.625 Disposed in toilets 187 48.7 Burned feces 31 8.1 Why do you keep dog? Security 307 79.9 1.21 0.441 Pet 72 18.8 Herding 5 1.3 Knowledge and awareness of dog owners regarding gastrointestinal parasites Among the 384 respondents, the vast majority—342 (89.1%)—had no knowledge about gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites of dogs or their zoonotic significance. Only a small fraction, 42 (10.9%), had heard of these parasites, primarily through veterinarians (3.4%) and reading materials (2.9%). Awareness of clinical signs was very limited, with only 21 (5.5%) owners recognizing symptoms such as failure to gain weight (3.6%) and poor hair-coat (1.8%). Regarding zoonotic disease transmission, 284 respondents (74%) lacked awareness of the role dogs play in transmitting parasitic diseases to humans. However, awareness of rabies was notably higher, with 299 respondents (77.9%) recognizing its zoonotic importance (Table 6). Table 6. Descriptive analysis of owners’ knowledge and awareness of gastrointestinal parasites Question Response Category Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Mean Std. Dev. Have you heard about GIT parasites of dogs? Yes 42 10.9 1.89 0.313 No 342 89.1 If yes, source of information about GIT parasites Veterinarians 13 3.4 3.88 2.461 Reading newspapers, books, or online sources 11 2.9 Radio 10 2.6 School 7 1.8 Neighbors 1 0.3 Do you know that GIT parasites of dogs can be transmitted to humans? Yes 100 26.0 1.74 0.439 No 284 74.0 If yes, how are GIT parasites transmitted between dogs and humans? Direct contact with dogs 37 9.6 2.60 1.044 Dog feces 27 7.0 Soil 21 5.5 Food 15 3.9 Do you know clinical signs of GIT parasites in dogs? Yes 21 5.5 1.95 0.228 No 363 94.5 If yes, which clinical signs are seen in infected dogs? Failure to gain weight 14 3.6 3.33 0.483 Poor haircoat 7 1.8 Do you know other diseases transmitted to humans from dogs? Yes 299 77.9 1.22 0.416 No 85 22.1 If yes, specify Rabies 299 77.9 1.00 0.000 Discussion The coprological examinations revealed an overall prevalence of zoonotic nematode parasites in dogs of 55.2% , with no significant differences across breed, sex, age, or study area ( p > 0.05). This is comparable to recent findings in central Ethiopia, where Bayou et al., (2025) reported a 53.1% prevalence across Bishoftu, Dukem, Addis Ababa, and Sheno. Similar prevalence was reported by Teshager et al., (2022) in Hawassa ( 56% ). In contrast, lower prevalence values were documented by Gebretsadik et al., (2019) in Mekelle ( 33.0% ) and Guesh et al. (2018) in Tigray ( 30.5% ), while higher rates have been reported in other Ethiopian studies, such as Megersa et al., (2017) in Jimma ( 84.6% ) and Bekele et al., (2016) in Hawassa ( 87.5% ). Such variation may reflect differences in climatic conditions, diagnostic methods, sampling strategies, deworming coverage, and owners’ awareness levels. Ancylostoma caninum was the most prevalent parasite in the current study ( 31.3% ), which agrees with recent reports from Ethiopia: 36.8% in West Shoa Zone (Endrias et al., 2020), 33.5% in Gondar (Alemayehu et al., 2019), and 34.1% in Eastern Ethiopia (Mekonnen et al., 2019). Prevalence was significantly higher in females (37.5%) than in males (25.9%), and in young dogs (54.1%) compared to puppies (38.2%) and adults (23.7%) ( P < 0.05). The higher susceptibility in females and young animals may be explained by physiological immunosuppression during pregnancy, immature immune systems in younger dogs, and the reactivation of dormant larvae during gestation, leading to transplacental and transmammary transmission (Ayana et al., 2021; Molla et al., 2020). Toxocara canis ranked second in prevalence ( 21.9% ), consistent with findings from central Ethiopia (18.6%, Bayou et al., 2025), Eastern Ethiopia (20.3%, Mekonnen et al., 2019), and Gondar (19.4%, Alemayehu et al., 2019). However, the current prevalence is higher than that reported by Endrias et al., (2020) in West Shoa ( 9.7% ) and Gebretsadik et al. (2019) in Mekelle ( 12.8% ). Significantly higher infection was observed in unweaned puppies (47.1%) compared to adults (14.9%) ( P < 0.05), which may be related to colostral transmission, teat contamination, and the absence of protective immunity in young animals (Ayana et al., 2021; Mitiku et al., 2020). Strongyloides stercoralis accounted for 11% of infections, with the highest prevalence in Ginchi (20.3%) and the lowest in Ambo (8.8%). This is comparable to findings in Ambo (14.3%, Endrias et al., 2020) and higher than those reported in Gondar (6.7%, Alemayehu et al., 2019) and Adama (5.4%, Molla et al., 2020). Such differences may be due to local climate conditions, sanitation, and the availability of veterinary services. Toxascaris leonina was the least common parasite ( 1.3% ), consistent with recent Ethiopian reports: 1% in West Shoa (Endrias et al., 2020) and 1.5% in Gondar (Alemayehu et al., 2019). Lower prevalence may be linked to less favorable ecological conditions and the age structure of the sampled population. Mixed infections were frequent: 34.2% of dogs had a single species, 15.5% had two species, and 5.5% had three. Although triple infections were lower than the 18.2% reported in Eastern Ethiopia (Mekonnen et al., 2019), the findings underscore the potential for co-infection dynamics that could exacerbate clinical outcomes in dogs. In children, Strongyloides stercoralis prevalence was only 0.8% , substantially lower than in dogs ( 11% ). The low prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis in children (0.8%) contrasts with dog prevalence and aligns with lower human infection rates reported in Thailand and Guinea (Suntaravitun and Dokmaikaw, 2018; Dunn et al., 2017). This difference likely reflects the benefits of regular school-based deworming programs, greater access to anti-helminthic drugs, and improved community health education for humans, compared to the absence of structured parasite control programs for dogs (WHO, 2023; Bayou et al., 2025). This study revealed a significant gap in community awareness: only 26% of respondents had some knowledge of zoonotic parasitic diseases, while 77.9% recognized rabies as a zoonosis. This result agrees with findings from central Ethiopia where only 29% of respondents were aware of canine parasitic zoonoses, despite 82% knowing about rabies (Bayou et al., 2025). Areas with better veterinary infrastructure, such as Bishoftu, tend to have higher awareness rates (Mitiku et al., 2020), emphasizing the role of veterinary extension and education in mitigating zoonotic risk. Limitations of the study This study included only household-owned dogs were included, while stray dogs, which may serve as important reservoirs of zoonotic nematodes, were not sampled. In addition, stool examination was conducted using conventional techniques, which may have lower sensitivity compared to molecular methods, could be leading to an underestimation of prevalence. Conclusion This study revealed a high burden of zoonotic nematode infections among household dogs in Ambo and Ginchi, with over half of the examined dogs harboring at least one species of parasite. Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis were the most prevalent, and their occurrence was significantly influenced by age and sex in certain cases. While the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis in dogs was notable, infections in children were rare, suggesting that other environmental or behavioral factors influence human exposure. Despite the zoonotic importance of these parasites, the dog-owners awareness and practice to protect themselves and the society from potential zoonotic infection of these parasites is at low level. Risk factors such as semi-confinement of dogs, feeding raw meat, and inadequate fecal disposal practices likely contribute to environmental contamination and sustained parasite transmission. Hence, regular, community-wide anthelmintic treatment for dogs prioritizing young and female animals—should be implemented and its effectiveness systematically evaluated. In addition, targeted education on zoonotic parasites, their transmission, and prevention should be delivered, with research assessing its impact on knowledge and practices. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Institutional Review Committee of Ambo University (Approval No: AU/IRB/57/2013/21 ). Verbal consent was obtained from all dog owners for the collection of faecal samples from their pet dogs. Informed consent was also obtained from parents or legal guardians for the collection of faecal samples from children, and assent was obtained from children where appropriate. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki (World Medical Association, 1964). Acknowledgments Ambo University provided partial financial support for the conduct of this project through thematic research project. We are grateful to Azeb Teklu for the technical assistance during specimen collection and laboratory analysis. Authors' contributions Robera Chemeda: Conceptualization (equal); writing – original draft (equal); formal analysis (supporting); writing – review and editing (equal); Tekalign Tadesse: Conceptualization (supporting); Writing – original draft (supporting); Writing – review and editing (equal); Dinadig Nura and Solomon Shiferaw Conceptualization (supporting); Writing – original draft (supporting); Writing – review and editing (equal); Edilu Jorga: Conceptualization (lead); Writing – original draft (lead); formal analysis (supporting); writing review and editing (equal). The final version of this manuscript was vetted and approved by all authors Funding This research did not receive external funding. Availability of data and materials The data that support the findings of this study are made available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Consent for publication Not applicable Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. 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One Health, 4 , 36–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2017.04.003 Bayou, F., Mekonnen, S., & Gebremedhin, E. (2025). Knowledge and awareness of zoonotic diseases among dog owners in central Ethiopia. Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 19 (4), 257–264. https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.12985 Bayou, F., Mekonnen, S., & Gebremedhin, E. (2025). Prevalence and risk factors of zoonotic nematodes in dogs: A cross-sectional study in central Ethiopia. BMC Veterinary Research, 21 , 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-03567-2 Bekele, T., Endrias, Z., & Teshome, B. (2016). Gastrointestinal helminth infections in domestic dogs of Hawassa, Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 48 (6), 1215–1221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1045-9 Bone, R. (1988). Veterinary clinical nomenclature: Age classification in domestic dogs . London, UK: Veterinary Press. CSA. (2023). Central Statistical Agency report: Climate and population data of Oromia Regional State . Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Central Statistical Agency. Debebe, D., Tadesse, D., & Alemayehu, G. (2020). Canine intestinal helminths and human exposure in Ethiopia. Acta Tropica, 207 , 105466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105466 Despommier, D. (2016). Toxocariasis: Clinical aspects and zoonotic significance . Cambridge, MA: Academic Press. Dunn, J., Tounkara, A., & Keita, B. (2017). Prevalence of human strongyloidiasis in rural Guinea. Acta Tropica, 174 , 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.06.011 Endrias, M., Mekonnen, S., & Tefera, T. (2020). Gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and zoonotic risks in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, 12 (3), 57–66. https://doi.org/10.5897/JVMAH2020.0812 Endrias, M., Mekonnen, S., & Tefera, T. (2020). Prevalence and risk factors of canine gastrointestinal parasites in West Shoa Zone. BMC Veterinary Research, 16 , 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02345-6 Gebretsadik, K., Ayele, W., & Mekonnen, S. (2019). Canine gastrointestinal nematodes and associated risk factors in Mekelle, Ethiopia. Veterinary World, 12 (9), 1452–1458. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2019.1452-1458 Guesh, G., Berhe, T., & Kidane, D. (2018). Prevalence of intestinal parasites of dogs in Tigray, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Veterinary Journal, 22 (1), 1–9. Hendrix, C. M. (2003). Diagnostic parasitology for veterinary technicians (3rd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders. Kassaw, D., Mekonnen, S., & Alemayehu, G. (2024). Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in domestic dogs of Gondar town, Ethiopia. Parasitology International, 93 , 102675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2023.102675 Lee, A. C., Schantz, P. M., & Kazacos, K. R. (2016). Human toxocariasis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 16 (1), e1–e12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00334-0 Li, J., Zhang, W., & Zhao, G. (2018). Zoonotic helminth infections in dogs and children: A comparative study. Parasites & Vectors, 11 , 356. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2901-7 Ma, G., Holland, C., & Wang, T. (2018). Transmission pathways of zoonotic nematodes from dogs to humans. Parasites & Vectors, 11 , 482. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3077-2 Macpherson, C. N. L. (2019). The epidemiology and public health significance of toxocariasis. One Health, 8 , 100096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2019.100096 Mekonnen, S., Endrias, Z., & Bekele, M. (2019). Gastrointestinal nematodes of dogs in Eastern Ethiopia: Prevalence and risk factors. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 51 , 2127–2134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02005-2 Mekuriaw, T., Tadele, D., & Alemayehu, G. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors of canine intestinal parasites in Hawassa and surrounding areas. BMC Veterinary Research, 19 , 114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03657-x Mitiku, T., Endrias, Z., & Alemayehu, G. (2020). Community awareness of canine zoonotic diseases in central Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 52 , 2157–2165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02294-x Mitiku, T., Endrias, Z., & Alemayehu, G. (2020). Knowledge and practices regarding zoonotic diseases among dog owners in central Ethiopia. Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 14 (3), 257–264. https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.12123 Molla, B., Ayana, D., & Mekonnen, S. (2020). Canine helminth infections and associated risk factors in Adama town, Ethiopia. Veterinary World, 13 (10), 2075–2082. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.2075-2082 Mulat, A., Teshome, T., & Mekonnen, S. (2024). Pediatric exposure to zoonotic nematodes from domestic dogs in Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 24 , 150. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-08123-x Oliveira, S. R., Pereira, J. T., & Costa, M. J. (2020). Dog ownership trends and human–dog interactions in urban settings. Anthrozoös, 33 (2), 237–251. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2020.1711234 Overgaauw, P. A., & van Knapen, F. (2015). Zoonotic aspects of Toxocara and other intestinal parasites in dogs. Veterinary Parasitology, 207 (1–2), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.034 Pham-Duc, P., Nguyen, T., & Le, H. (2020). Transmission of zoonotic nematodes in household settings. Parasite Epidemiology and Control, 10 , e00151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00151 Powell, L., Bennett, P., & Coppinger, R. (2018). Human–dog interactions: Benefits and risks. Animals, 8 (11), 199. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8110199 Shiferaw, F., Endrias, Z., & Alemayehu, G. (2023). Zoonotic intestinal nematodes in dogs and children in West Shoa, Ethiopia. Parasitology International, 94 , 103012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2023.103012 Suntaravitun, P., & Dokmaikaw, A. (2018). Strongyloides stercoralis prevalence in children in Thailand. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 8 (3), 123–129. https://doi.org/10.4103/2221-1691.234567 Tadele, D., Mekuriaw, T., & Kassaw, D. (2024). Canine gastrointestinal nematodes and zoonotic risk in central Ethiopia. BMC Veterinary Research, 20 , 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-03567-4 Teshager, Y., Alemayehu, G., & Mekonnen, S. (2022). Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic dogs of Hawassa, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Veterinary Journal, 26 (1), 15–24. Thrusfield, M. (2007). Veterinary epidemiology (3rd ed.). Oxford, UK: Blackwell Science. Traversa, D. (2018). Canine and feline intestinal nematodes and zoonotic potential. Parasitology, 145 (13), 1645–1660. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182018000836 WHO. (2023). Soil-transmitted helminth infections: Global report 2023 . Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. World Medical Association. (1964). Declaration of Helsinki: Recommendations guiding doctors in clinical research . 18th World Medical Assembly, Helsinki, Finland. Retrieved from https://www.wma.net/what-we-do/medical-ethics/declaration-of-helsinki/doh-jun1964/ Zewude, B. (2023). Epidemiology of zoonotic nematodes in dogs and children in Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology, 14 , 67–75. https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7579.1000678 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7554162","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":523202995,"identity":"1ea0e204-13c0-460c-881d-f36f21071d62","order_by":0,"name":"Robera Chemeda","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ambo University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Robera","middleName":"","lastName":"Chemeda","suffix":""},{"id":523202997,"identity":"662f2621-e8a2-4a6b-b43f-fd91f7e84acd","order_by":1,"name":"Dinadig Nura","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mattu 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human\u0026ndash;animal bond, particularly the relationship between humans and domestic dogs (\u003cem\u003eCanis familiaris\u003c/em\u003e), is one of the oldest and most significant inter-species associations, deeply embedded in many cultures worldwide, including Ethiopia. Dogs are valued for their companionship, emotional support, and utility in safeguarding property, assisting with herding livestock, and enhancing social well-being (Degeling \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2016; Powell et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). As urbanization increases and lifestyles evolve, the number of households keeping dogs as domestic animals continues to rise, leading to more frequent and closer contact between humans and dogs (Wood \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2015; Oliveira et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Recent evidence from Ethiopia also reflects this trend, with studies reporting an increase in domestic dog ownership alongside the persistence of free-roaming populations (Mekuriaw et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Tadele et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). While this relationship offers undeniable emotional and practical benefits, it also presents considerable public health risks, particularly due to the zoonotic pathogens dogs may harbor.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong the major health concerns associated with canine ownership are intestinal nematode parasites, which are widely recognized for their zoonotic potential. Several nematodes of veterinary importance, such as \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eToxascaris leonina\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e, are not only prevalent in dogs but also pose a significant threat to human health (Bowman \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2016; Moskvina \u0026amp; Ermolenko, 2016; Traversa, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). These parasites are associated with a range of diseases in humans, including eosinophilic enteritis, cutaneous larva migrans, and visceral or ocular larva migrans (Macpherson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Despommier, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Recent surveys in Ethiopia confirm that \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e remain among the most frequently detected parasites in domestic dogs, underscoring their relevance to public health (Kassaw et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Tadele et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChildren are particularly vulnerable to these infections due to behavioral and physiological factors. Their frequent play in contaminated environments such as sandpits, public parks, and backyards increases their exposure to infective stages of parasites. Additionally, limited awareness of hygiene, the habit of placing fingers or objects in their mouths, and close physical interactions with pets (such as licking and petting) elevate their risk of infection (Overgaauw \u0026amp; van Knapen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Lee et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Most human infections result from the ingestion of infective eggs or larvae or percutaneous penetration via contaminated soil, water, or surfaces (Ma et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Pham-Duc et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Recent Ethiopian studies further suggest that children in peri-urban and rural settings are at heightened risk, given the high burden of soil contamination with helminth eggs where free-roaming dogs defecate (Mekuriaw et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Environmental contamination with infective parasitic stages\u0026mdash;especially helminth eggs and larvae\u0026mdash;is exacerbated in communities with inadequate veterinary care, poor sanitation, and limited awareness about parasite transmission. In many developing countries, including Ethiopia, the presence of free-roaming and stray dog populations, often lacking routine veterinary treatment such as deworming, plays a significant role in sustaining the transmission cycle of zoonotic parasites (Ayden et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Macpherson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Consequently, both urban and rural populations are at increased risk, particularly those in close contact with dogs in resource-limited settings.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumerous studies in Ethiopia have reported a high prevalence of canine intestinal nematodes across various regions. For example, the 2021 study in Hawassa found that 56% of dogs were infected with gastrointestinal helminths, with \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma spp.\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eTrichuris vulpis\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e being the most common (Mekuriaw et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). In central Ethiopia (Bishoftu, Dukem, Addis Ababa, and Sheno), 53.1% of sampled dogs harbored gastrointestinal parasites, with \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma spp.\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e predominating (Tadele et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Similarly, in Gondar town, 23% of dogs carried gastrointestinal nematodes, with \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma\u003c/em\u003e species being the most frequent, and infection risk strongly associated with younger age, poor condition, and inadequate housing (Kassaw et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). These findings highlight both the widespread nature of canine parasitic infections in Ethiopia and the ongoing gaps in public awareness and preventive practices such as regular deworming and responsible pet ownership.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite the growing evidence of zoonotic parasitic infections in dogs in different Ethiopian towns, there is still a dearth of integrated studies that assess both canine and human infection status simultaneously. Even fewer studies (Mulat et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Tessema \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2024; Debebe et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Shiferaw et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Zewude, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Astolfi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e) have focused on the pediatric population, who are at the highest risk of exposure. In particular, towns like Ambo and Ginchi in the West Shoa Zone have received limited research attention, even though dogs are commonly kept for both economic and social purposes in these areas. Moreover, comprehensive assessments of the knowledge and practices of dog owners in relation to zoonotic nematode parasites remain limited.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStudy area\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted from June 2023 to June 2024 in Ambo and Ginchi towns, located in the West Shoa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. These two towns were purposively selected due to their differences in climate, altitude, and urban dog-human interaction dynamics. Ambo town is the administrative capital of both Ambo District and West Shoa Zone. It lies approximately 114 km west of Addis Ababa, at latitudes 8\u0026deg;56\u0026prime;30\u0026Prime; to 8\u0026deg;59\u0026prime;30\u0026Prime; N and longitudes 37\u0026deg;47\u0026prime;30\u0026Prime; to 37\u0026deg;55\u0026prime;15\u0026Prime; E. The town's altitude ranges from 1900 to 2275 meters above sea level. It has a mild climate with annual temperatures ranging from 19\u0026deg;C to 29\u0026deg;C, a mean annual temperature of 22\u0026deg;C, and an average annual rainfall of about 900 mm (AARDB, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Ginchi town, situated approximately 83 km west of Addis Ababa, serves as the administrative center of Dandi District. It is located at approximately 9\u0026deg;01\u0026prime;60\u0026Prime; N latitude and 38\u0026deg;09\u0026prime;0\u0026Prime; E longitude. The elevation ranges from 2236 to 2273 meters above sea level. The town experiences a cooler climate, with temperatures ranging from 15\u0026deg;C to 19\u0026deg;C, a mean temperature of 17\u0026deg;C, and annual rainfall averaging 880 mm (CSA, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy population\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study population consisted of household-owned dogs and children residing in the selected towns. All local and exotic dog breeds of either sex and various age groups were considered. Dogs were categorized into three age groups based on Bone (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1988\u003c/span\u003e): puppies (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;6 months), young dogs (6 months\u0026ndash;1 year), and adults (\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1 year). Children included in the study were between 1 and 8 years of age, further grouped into preschool-aged (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;4 years) and school-aged (4\u0026ndash;8 years). In total, fecal samples were collected from 310 dogs and stool samples from 384 children.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy design\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional study design was used to estimate the prevalence of major zoonotic nematode parasites among household dogs and children, identify associated risk factors, and assess the level of awareness among dog owners regarding the zoonotic implications of intestinal helminths. Parasitological examination was conducted using standard fecal flotation techniques, while a structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on dog management practices, hygiene, and owner knowledge of zoonotic transmission.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSample size determination\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample size for household dogs was determined using the formula by Thrusfield (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e), considering an expected prevalence (P) of 72% based on Endrias \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2010), a 95% confidence level (Z\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.96), and a 5% desired absolute precision (d). Accordingly, 310 dogs were sampled. For children, due to the absence of prior prevalence data in the study areas, a 50% expected prevalence was assumed with the same confidence level and precision, yielding a sample size of 384. The total sample sizes were proportionally allocated based on estimated household dog populations: Ambo (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5500) and Ginchi (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1298), totaling 6798. As a result, 251 dogs and 311 children were sampled from Ambo, while 59 dogs and 73 children were sampled from Ginchi.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSampling technique and sample ollection\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA simple random sampling method was used to select both dogs and children. Fresh fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum or top layers of recently voided feces using gloved hands into labeled, clean, dry universal bottles. Stool samples from children were collected using clean, wide-mouthed, labeled plastic cups. In households without children, stool samples were obtained from neighboring children with parental consent. Each sample was labeled with a unique ID and information such as date, town, age, sex, and breed of the dog and child, as well as management practices. Approximately 10 grams of each sample was placed in sterile containers, stored in an icebox, and transported to the Parasitology Laboratory of Ambo University College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture for examination. If immediate analysis was not possible, samples were preserved in 10% formalin.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLaboratory examination\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll fecal and stool samples were examined using the flotation technique with saturated sodium chloride solution to identify nematode eggs. About 3 grams of sample was mixed with 42 ml of flotation fluid in a mortar, thoroughly homogenized, and strained through a tea strainer into a beaker to remove debris. The filtrate was poured into a centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 3 minutes. After centrifugation, additional flotation fluid was added to form a meniscus, and a coverslip was placed on top of the tube and left for 3\u0026ndash;5 minutes. The cover-slip was then transferred to a glass slide and examined under a compound microscope at 10\u0026times; magnification. Eggs were identified morphologically to the genus or species level using standard identification keys (Hendrix, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestionnaire survey\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA structured and pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 384 selected household members through face-to-face interviews. It was designed to collect information on dog ownership, feeding practices, deworming history, housing and hygiene conditions, as well as participants\u0026rsquo; awareness of zoonotic intestinal parasites and their transmission routes. The questionnaire was first developed in English, translated into local languages (Amharic and Afan Oromo), and later re-translated into English for consistency in analysis. Only households that consented to participate and completed the questionnaire were included in the analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData management and analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll data collected from laboratory examinations and questionnaires were coded and entered into Microsoft Excel 2016 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to summarize data and estimate prevalence. Associations between infection prevalence and potential risk factors (e.g., age, sex, breed, study area and hygiene practices) were evaluated using chi-square tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the strength and significance of associations. Statistical significance was considered at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFecal examination of household dogs\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOut of 310 fecal samples collected from household dogs, 171 (55.2%) were found to harbor single or mixed infections with zoonotic nematode parasites. Four species of zoonotic nematodes were identified during the study period: \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eToxascaris leonina\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e was the most prevalent parasite, detected in 97 dogs (31.3%), and followed by \u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e in 68 dogs (21.9%), \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e in 34 dogs (11.0%), and \u003cem\u003eToxascaris leonina\u003c/em\u003e in 4 dogs (1.3%) (Table 1).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1.\u003c/strong\u003e Prevalence of nematode parasites in dogs with respect to different risk factors\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"740\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 87px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 142px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreed\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 142px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 212px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 158px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy areas\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocal\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExotic\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMale\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFemale\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePuppies\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYoung\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 70px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmbo town\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGinchi town\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 87px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA. caninum\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e82 (32.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15 (26.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43 (25.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e54 (37.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13 (38.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33 (54.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 70px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51(23.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78 (31.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19 (32.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 87px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eT. leonina\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (1.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (1.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (1.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (1.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 70px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3(1.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (1.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (1.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 87px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eT. canis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56 (22.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 (21.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40 (24.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28 (19.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16 (47.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 (32.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 70px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32(14.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51 (20.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17 (28.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 87px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eS. stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30 (11.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (7.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16 (9.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (12.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (14.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (6.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 70px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25(11.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 79px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22 (8.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 (20.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePositive cases with a single zoonotic nematode infection accounted for 106 dogs (34.2%). Mixed infections involving two and three species were detected in 48 (15.5%) and 17 (5.5%) dogs, respectively. No cases of concurrent infection with all four identified species were observed. A total of 139 dogs (44.8%) tested negative for all zoonotic nematode parasites examined.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the findings of this study, there were no statistically significant differences (P \u0026gt; 0.05) in the prevalence of the four major zoonotic nematode parasites \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e (31.3%), \u003cem\u003eToxascaris leonina\u003c/em\u003e (1.3%), \u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e (21.9%), and \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e (11.0%)\u0026mdash;between local and exotic breeds. It should be noted, however, that the majority of the dogs examined were of local breeds. For \u003cem\u003eToxascaris\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eleonina\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eToxocara\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003ecanis,\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003estercoralis\u003c/em\u003e, no significant differences (P \u0026gt; 0.05) in prevalence were observed between male and female dogs. In contrast, \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003ecaninum\u003c/em\u003e showed a significant sex-based difference (P = 0.028), with female dogs more frequently infected than males (37.5% vs. 25.9%) (Table 2).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003ePrevalence of zoonotic nematode parasites in dogs by breed and sex\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"668\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZoonotic\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003enematode species\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreed\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 171px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLocal (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eExotic (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ep-value (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2;)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 75px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 96px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ep-value (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2;)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA. caninum\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e82 (32.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15 (26.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.645 (0.422ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 75px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43 (25.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 96px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e54 (37.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.028* (4.823ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT. leonina\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (1.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.893 (0.345ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 75px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (1.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 96px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (1.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.886 (0.021ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eT. canis\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56 (22.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 (21.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.919 (0.010ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 75px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40 (24.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 96px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28 (19.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.324 (0.974ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eS. stercoralis\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30 (11.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (7.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.312 (1.024ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 75px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16 (9.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 96px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (12.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.421 (0.647ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;The findings indicate that among the major zoonotic nematode parasites identified in this study, \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e showed a statistically significant association (P \u0026lt; 0.05) with both sex and age group. Likewise, \u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e exhibited a significant variation (P \u0026lt; 0.05) with respect to age, with puppies being more likely to be infected than young or adult dogs. \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003estercoralis\u003c/em\u003e demonstrated a significant association (P \u0026lt; 0.05) with study area, being more prevalent in Ginchi town than in Ambo town. In contrast, \u003cem\u003eToxascaris leonina\u003c/em\u003e showed no statistically significant association (P \u0026gt; 0.05) with any of the risk factors considered (Table 3).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003ePrevalence of zoonotic nematode parasites by age group and study area in dogs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"687\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZoonotic nematode parasites\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 233px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge group\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy area\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePuppies\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYoung\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAdult\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ep-value (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2;)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmbo town\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 92px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGinchi town\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ep-value (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2;)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA. caninum\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13 (38.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33 (54.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51 (23.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.000 (21.252ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78 (31.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 92px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19 (32.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.867 (.028ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eT. leonina\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (1.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (1.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.771 (.521ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (1.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 92px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (1.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.760 (.094ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eT. canis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16 (47.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 (32.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32 (14.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.000 (22.971ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51 (20.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 92px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17 (28.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.156 (2.013ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eS. stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (14.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (6.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 78px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25 (11.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.407 (1.798ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22 (8.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 92px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 (20.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.010 (6.553ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStool examination of household children\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf the 384 stool samples collected and examined, 3 (0.8%) tested positive for zoonotic nematode parasites, while 381 (99.2%) were free from such infections. The only zoonotic nematode parasite identified was \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003estercoralis\u003c/em\u003e. This finding did not correspond with the positivity rates observed in household dogs. However, other non-zoonotic, human-origin nematode parasites were detected among household and school-aged children during the study period. \u0026nbsp;The prevalence of \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003estercoralis\u003c/em\u003e among children was low and showed no significant association with sex, age group, or study area (Table 4).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 4.\u003c/strong\u003e Prevalence of \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e among household and school-aged children by sex, age group, and study area\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"584\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariable\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePositive Cases (N/%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ep-value (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2;)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSex\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (0.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.722 (0.127ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (0.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge Group\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHousehold\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (1.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.080 (3.055ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSchool age\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStudy Area\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmbo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (1.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.400 (0.710ᵃ)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGinchi\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverall\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 146px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuestionnaire survey\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA total of 384 respondents were selected, and all completed the distributed questionnaires properly, yielding a 100% response rate. Majority of respondents 311 (81%) from Ambo, and 73 (19%) from Ginchi. \u0026nbsp;Among respondents, 219 (57%) were female and 165 (43%) were male, suggesting that women comprised the majority of dog owners and were more involved in dog management than men. Regarding educational attainment, 15.1% of respondents had no formal education, 29.2% completed primary school, 33.6% completed secondary education, and 22.1% had tertiary education. The largest proportion of dog owners (33.6%) had completed secondary education (Table 5).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDog-keeping practices, knowledge, and awareness of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the 384 respondents, the largest proportion, 151 (39.3%), had kept dogs for 5\u0026ndash;10 years. Most dogs were semi-confined, with 237 (61.7%) kept under this housing condition. Regarding hygiene, a majority of owners, 282 (73.4%), cleaned their dogs\u0026rsquo; living areas on a weekly basis. In terms of feeding practices, 314 (81.8%) primarily fed their dogs raw meat. For feces disposal, nearly half of the respondents, 187 (48.7%), disposed of dog feces in toilets. Finally, the predominant reason for dog ownership was security, cited by 307 (79.9%) of respondents (Table 5).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 5.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eDescriptive analysis of owners\u0026rsquo; knowledge and awareness of gastrointestinal parasites\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"Left\"\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"670\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 175px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuestion\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResponse Category\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency (n)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMean\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStd. Dev.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 175px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHow long have you been keeping dog?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt; 5 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e148\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.84\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.762\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;10 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e151\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt; 10 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 175px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhat is the housing condition of your dogs?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eConfined (indoor)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e118\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.574\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSemi-confined (partial)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e237\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNot confined (outdoor)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 175px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt what intervals do you clean the house of your dogs?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWeekly\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e282\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.442\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEvery two weeks to one month\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e102\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 175px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhat kind of meat you take to your dogs?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRaw meat\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e314\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.773\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBoth raw and cooked\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 175px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhere does your dog spend most of the time\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAll time indoors\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.91\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.749\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHalf time indoors\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e247\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLiving inside with owners\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOutside the compound\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 175px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHow do you dispose the faeces from your dogs?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisposed in household garbage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e166\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.625\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDisposed in toilets\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e187\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e48.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBurned feces\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 175px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhy do you keep dog?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSecurity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e307\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e79.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.441\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePet\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 131px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHerding\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnowledge and awareness of dog owners regarding gastrointestinal parasites\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the 384 respondents, the vast majority\u0026mdash;342 (89.1%)\u0026mdash;had no knowledge about gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites of dogs or their zoonotic significance. Only a small fraction, 42 (10.9%), had heard of these parasites, primarily through veterinarians (3.4%) and reading materials (2.9%). Awareness of clinical signs was very limited, with only 21 (5.5%) owners recognizing symptoms such as failure to gain weight (3.6%) and poor hair-coat (1.8%). Regarding zoonotic disease transmission, 284 respondents (74%) lacked awareness of the role dogs play in transmitting parasitic diseases to humans. However, awareness of rabies was notably higher, with 299 respondents (77.9%) recognizing its zoonotic importance (Table 6).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 6.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eDescriptive analysis of owners\u0026rsquo; knowledge and awareness of gastrointestinal parasites\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"682\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 222px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuestion\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResponse Category\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency (n)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMean\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStd. Dev.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 222px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHave you heard about GIT parasites of dogs?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.89\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.313\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e342\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e89.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 222px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIf yes, source of information about GIT parasites\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVeterinarians\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.461\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReading newspapers, books, or online sources\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRadio\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSchool\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNeighbors\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 222px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDo you know that GIT parasites of dogs can be transmitted to humans?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.439\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e284\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 222px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIf yes, how are GIT parasites transmitted between dogs and humans?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDirect contact with dogs\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.60\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.044\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDog feces\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSoil\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFood\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 222px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDo you know clinical signs of GIT parasites in dogs?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.95\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.228\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e363\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e94.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 222px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIf yes, which clinical signs are seen in infected dogs?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFailure to gain weight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.483\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoor haircoat\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 222px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDo you know other diseases transmitted to humans from dogs?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e299\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.22\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.416\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 222px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIf yes, specify\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 129px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRabies\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e299\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 59px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 68px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe coprological examinations revealed an overall prevalence of zoonotic nematode parasites in dogs of \u003cstrong\u003e55.2%\u003c/strong\u003e, with no significant differences across breed, sex, age, or study area (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e \u0026gt; 0.05). This is comparable to recent findings in central Ethiopia, where Bayou \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e (2025) reported a \u003cstrong\u003e53.1%\u003c/strong\u003e prevalence across Bishoftu, Dukem, Addis Ababa, and Sheno. Similar prevalence was reported by Teshager \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e (2022) in Hawassa (\u003cstrong\u003e56%\u003c/strong\u003e). In contrast, lower prevalence values were documented by Gebretsadik \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e (2019) in Mekelle (\u003cstrong\u003e33.0%\u003c/strong\u003e) and Guesh et al. (2018) in Tigray (\u003cstrong\u003e30.5%\u003c/strong\u003e), while higher rates have been reported in other Ethiopian studies, such as Megersa \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e (2017) in Jimma (\u003cstrong\u003e84.6%\u003c/strong\u003e) and Bekele \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e (2016) in Hawassa (\u003cstrong\u003e87.5%\u003c/strong\u003e). Such variation may reflect differences in climatic conditions, diagnostic methods, sampling strategies, deworming coverage, and owners’ awareness levels.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e was the most prevalent parasite in the current study (\u003cstrong\u003e31.3%\u003c/strong\u003e), which agrees with recent reports from Ethiopia: 36.8% in West Shoa Zone (Endrias \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2020), 33.5% in Gondar (Alemayehu \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2019), and 34.1% in Eastern Ethiopia (Mekonnen \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2019). Prevalence was significantly higher in females (37.5%) than in males (25.9%), and in young dogs (54.1%) compared to puppies (38.2%) and adults (23.7%) (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05). The higher susceptibility in females and young animals may be explained by physiological immunosuppression during pregnancy, immature immune systems in younger dogs, and the reactivation of dormant larvae during gestation, leading to transplacental and transmammary transmission (Ayana \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2021; Molla \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2020).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e ranked second in prevalence (\u003cstrong\u003e21.9%\u003c/strong\u003e), consistent with findings from central Ethiopia (18.6%, Bayou \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2025), Eastern Ethiopia (20.3%, Mekonnen \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2019), and Gondar (19.4%, Alemayehu \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2019). However, the current prevalence is higher than that reported by Endrias \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e (2020) in West Shoa (\u003cstrong\u003e9.7%\u003c/strong\u003e) and Gebretsadik et al. (2019) in Mekelle (\u003cstrong\u003e12.8%\u003c/strong\u003e). Significantly higher infection was observed in unweaned puppies (47.1%) compared to adults (14.9%) (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05), which may be related to colostral transmission, teat contamination, and the absence of protective immunity in young animals (Ayana \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2021; Mitiku \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2020).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e accounted for \u003cstrong\u003e11%\u003c/strong\u003e of infections, with the highest prevalence in Ginchi (20.3%) and the lowest in Ambo (8.8%). This is comparable to findings in Ambo (14.3%, Endrias \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2020) and higher than those reported in Gondar (6.7%, Alemayehu \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2019) and Adama (5.4%, Molla \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2020). Such differences may be due to local climate conditions, sanitation, and the availability of veterinary services.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eToxascaris leonina\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003ewas the least common parasite (\u003cstrong\u003e1.3%\u003c/strong\u003e), consistent with recent Ethiopian reports: 1% in West Shoa (Endrias \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2020) and 1.5% in Gondar (Alemayehu \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2019). Lower prevalence may be linked to less favorable ecological conditions and the age structure of the sampled population. Mixed infections were frequent: \u003cstrong\u003e34.2%\u003c/strong\u003e of dogs had a single species, \u003cstrong\u003e15.5%\u003c/strong\u003e had two species, and \u003cstrong\u003e5.5%\u003c/strong\u003e had three. Although triple infections were lower than the 18.2% reported in Eastern Ethiopia (Mekonnen \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2019), the findings underscore the potential for co-infection dynamics that could exacerbate clinical outcomes in dogs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn children, \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;stercoralis\u003c/strong\u003e prevalence was only \u003cstrong\u003e0.8%\u003c/strong\u003e, substantially lower than in dogs (\u003cstrong\u003e11%\u003c/strong\u003e). The low prevalence of \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e in children (0.8%) contrasts with dog prevalence and aligns with lower human infection rates reported in Thailand and Guinea (Suntaravitun and Dokmaikaw, 2018; Dunn \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2017). This difference likely reflects the benefits of regular school-based deworming programs, greater access to anti-helminthic drugs, and improved community health education for humans, compared to the absence of structured parasite control programs for dogs (WHO, 2023; Bayou \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2025).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study revealed a significant gap in community awareness: only \u003cstrong\u003e26%\u003c/strong\u003e of respondents had some knowledge of zoonotic parasitic diseases, while \u003cstrong\u003e77.9%\u003c/strong\u003e recognized rabies as a zoonosis. This result agrees with findings from central Ethiopia where only 29% of respondents were aware of canine parasitic zoonoses, despite 82% knowing about rabies (Bayou \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2025). Areas with better veterinary infrastructure, such as Bishoftu, tend to have higher awareness rates (Mitiku \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2020), emphasizing the role of veterinary extension and education in mitigating zoonotic risk.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLimitations of the study\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study included only household-owned dogs were included, while stray dogs, which may serve as important reservoirs of zoonotic nematodes, were not sampled. In addition, stool examination was conducted using conventional techniques, which may have lower sensitivity compared to molecular methods, could be leading to an underestimation of \u0026nbsp;prevalence.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study revealed a high burden of zoonotic nematode infections among household dogs in Ambo and Ginchi, with over half of the examined dogs harboring at least one species of parasite. \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e and\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;Toxocara canis\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003ewere the most prevalent, and their occurrence was significantly influenced by age and sex in certain cases. While the prevalence of \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e in dogs was notable, infections in children were rare, suggesting that other environmental or behavioral factors influence human exposure. Despite the zoonotic importance of these parasites, the dog-owners awareness and practice to protect themselves and the society from potential zoonotic infection of these parasites is at low level. Risk factors such as semi-confinement of dogs, feeding raw meat, and inadequate fecal disposal practices likely contribute to environmental contamination and sustained parasite transmission. Hence, regular, community-wide anthelmintic treatment for dogs prioritizing young and female animals—should be implemented and its effectiveness systematically evaluated. In addition, targeted education on zoonotic parasites, their transmission, and prevention should be delivered, with research assessing its impact on knowledge and practices.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Institutional Review Committee of Ambo University (Approval No:\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eAU/IRB/57/2013/21\u003c/em\u003e). Verbal consent was obtained from all dog owners for the collection of faecal samples from their pet dogs. Informed consent was also obtained from parents or legal guardians for the collection of faecal samples from children, and assent was obtained from children where appropriate. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki (World Medical Association, 1964).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmbo University provided partial financial support for the conduct of this project through thematic research project. We are grateful to\u0026nbsp;Azeb Teklu for the technical assistance during specimen collection and laboratory analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026apos; contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobera Chemeda:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eConceptualization (equal); writing \u0026ndash; original draft (equal); formal analysis (supporting); writing \u0026ndash; review and editing (equal); \u003cstrong\u003eTekalign Tadesse:\u003c/strong\u003e Conceptualization (supporting); Writing \u0026ndash; original draft (supporting); Writing \u0026ndash; review and editing (equal); \u003cstrong\u003eDinadig Nura and Solomon Shiferaw\u003c/strong\u003e Conceptualization (supporting); Writing \u0026ndash; original draft (supporting); Writing \u0026ndash; review and editing (equal); \u003cstrong\u003eEdilu Jorga:\u003c/strong\u003e Conceptualization (lead); Writing \u0026ndash; original draft (lead); formal analysis (supporting); writing review and editing (equal).\u0026nbsp;The final version of this manuscript was vetted and approved by all authors\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research did not receive external funding.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data that support the findings of this study are made available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlemayehu, G., Tefera, T., \u0026amp; Mekonnen, S. 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Zoonotic aspects of Toxocara and other intestinal parasites in dogs. \u003cem\u003eVeterinary Parasitology, 207\u003c/em\u003e(1\u0026ndash;2), 39\u0026ndash;46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.10.034\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePham-Duc, P., Nguyen, T., \u0026amp; Le, H. (2020). Transmission of zoonotic nematodes in household settings. \u003cem\u003eParasite Epidemiology and Control, 10\u003c/em\u003e, e00151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00151\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePowell, L., Bennett, P., \u0026amp; Coppinger, R. (2018). Human\u0026ndash;dog interactions: Benefits and risks. \u003cem\u003eAnimals, 8\u003c/em\u003e(11), 199. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8110199\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShiferaw, F., Endrias, Z., \u0026amp; Alemayehu, G. (2023). 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Retrieved from https://www.wma.net/what-we-do/medical-ethics/declaration-of-helsinki/doh-jun1964/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZewude, B. (2023). Epidemiology of zoonotic nematodes in dogs and children in Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Veterinary Science and Technology, 14\u003c/em\u003e, 67\u0026ndash;75. https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7579.1000678\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Dogs, Children, Nematode, Zoonosis, Central Ethiopia","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7554162/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7554162/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNematode parasites can lead to severe health complications and have zoonotic potential, especially in areas with close human\u0026ndash;animal interactions and poor sanitation. This study investigates the prevalence of nematode parasites, identifies potential risk factors, and examines their zoonotic relationships between humans and domestic dogs.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2023 to June 2024. A total of 310 dog fecal samples and 384 human stool samples were selected using a simple random sampling approach. The samples were examined using flotation and sedimentation techniques. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was used to assess dog owners' awareness of the zoonotic potential of canine intestinal parasites.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOut of 310 dogs examined, 171 (55.2%) were positive for zoonotic nematodes. The most commonly detected species were \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e (31.3%), \u003cem\u003eToxocara canis\u003c/em\u003e (21.9%), \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e (11.0%), and \u003cem\u003eToxascaris leonina\u003c/em\u003e (1.3%). Among the 384 children examined, only 3 (0.8%) were infected with \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e. No significant difference was found in overall parasite prevalence between local and exotic dog breeds (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), but \u003cem\u003eAncylostoma caninum\u003c/em\u003e prevalence showed significant variation with age and sex (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). The detection of \u003cem\u003eStrongyloides stercoralis\u003c/em\u003e in children did not correspond with the infection patterns in household dogs, indicating other environmental or behavioral factors may contribute. From the survey, only 26% of respondents were aware of the parasitic zoonotic risk associated with dogs, while 77.9% were aware of rabies.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study shows a high burden of zoonotic nematode infections in dogs and a substantial lack of awareness among dog owners. It underscore the importance of One Health measures; education, hygiene, and regular deworming to curb zoonotic transmission and safeguard public health.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Eco-epidemiology and Zoonotic Implication of Intestinal Nematode Parasites in Humans and Dogs in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-10-07 07:01:53","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7554162/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-10-01T06:17:20+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"85926595295864740618621325101681578971","date":"2025-09-28T06:33:19+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-26T09:56:39+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-26T09:41:54+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"42249956830204008323943531197997458208","date":"2025-09-25T06:52:20+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"281085590517955758123136501335968134083","date":"2025-09-25T06:03:52+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"294439330614765615722454768947556866162","date":"2025-09-25T01:20:13+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-09-25T00:47:31+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-09-25T00:30:46+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-09-24T19:37:27+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-09-11T07:27:11+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2025-09-11T07:21:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"6c43695c-bce9-4606-88e3-86a31d5b8a41","owner":[],"postedDate":"October 7th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"in-revision","subjectAreas":[{"id":55612755,"name":"Health sciences/Diseases"},{"id":55612756,"name":"Health sciences/Medical research"},{"id":55612757,"name":"Biological sciences/Microbiology"},{"id":55612758,"name":"Biological sciences/Zoology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-22T13:23:50+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-10-07 07:01:53","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7554162","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7554162","identity":"rs-7554162","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}