APPLICATION OF PARTICIPATORY EPIDEMIOLOGY ON TOXOCARA CANIS AND TOXOCARA CATI IN ARIAM COMMUNITY OF IKWUANO LGA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study applied participatory epidemiology (PE) approaches to investigate the occurrence, transmission patterns, risk factors, and community perceptions of toxocariasis in Ariam community, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Participatory epidemiological tools including semi-structured interviews, pairwise ranking, proportional piling, seasonal calendars, transect walks, and participatory mapping were employed between January and October 2025. Dog owners, cat owners, community leaders, hunters, veterinary personnel, and households participated in the study. Faecal samples from 180 dogs and 75 cats were examined using flotation techniques for Toxocara eggs. The overall prevalence of Toxocara canis in dogs was 31.1%, while Toxocara cati prevalence among cats was 22.7%. Puppies and kittens showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher infection rates than adults. Participatory findings identified poor deworming practices, free roaming of animals, indiscriminate disposal of faeces, and inadequate awareness of zoonotic risks as major drivers of transmission. Seasonal calendars revealed an increased infection occurrence during the rainy season. Community mapping identified compounds, playgrounds, refuse dumps, and markets as hotspots for environmental contamination. The study demonstrates that, participatory epidemiology is an effective approach for understanding toxocariasis dynamics in rural Nigerian communities. Integrated One Health interventions involving routine deworming, environmental sanitation, and public health education are recommended.