Risk factors and lingual prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in the Lake Kyoga Basin in Uganda

Abstract

The predisposing factors to and the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis have not been extensively studied in most parts of Uganda. Most reports have been abattoir survey based. This could have not been representative, since lingual screening was sometimes done by traders before purchasing pigs for abattoir slaughter. A survey was therefore conducted around Lake Kyoga where pig farming and trade had been popular. Lingual examination was carried out on 500 pigs sampled from seven districts. The prevalence of cysitercosis ranged from 4% to 12.9%. Predisposing factors to porcine cysticercosis were found to be: open-air defecation, ignorance of the communities about the disease, free range scavenging pig husbandry methods and no inspection of pigs or pork destined for the local market. Porcine cysticercosis, therefore paused a major public health risk in this region in Uganda. It was therefore found necessary to educate local communities about the risks posed and the risk factors attributed to its high prevalence. Modes of disrupting the life cycle should therefore be designed.