Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine the gastrointestinal parasitic fauna of freshwater fish species of the Hadejia River and their associated risk factors.
Materials and Methods: We identified the fish in the laboratory using standard identification keys. Intestinal contents were examined for parasites under a low-power binocular microscope.
Results: An overall prevalence and mean intensity of 18.22% (14.95–21.47) and 2.01 parasites/fish were recorded, respectively. Malapterurus electricus and Mormyrus rume had the highest prevalence [94.54% (88.54–100)] and mean intensity (4.43 parasites/fish), respectively. The parasites recovered included Camallanus (49.75%), Bothriocephalus (43.65%), Allocreadium (1.52%), Corynosoma (2.03%), Polynchobothrium (2.03%), and Rhabdochona congolensis (1.02%). Bothriocephalus and Camallanus showed an affinity for two different fish species, while others showed a preference for only one fish species in a coinfection. Fish sex (χ2 = 8.81; p = 0.0030), weight (χ2 = 52.74; p = 0.0001), and species (χ2 = 30.225; p = 0.0001) were found to significantly contribute to gastrointestinal helminthiasis. Female fish were about twice as likely to be infected compared to males [OR (95% CI): 1.99 (1.05–3.77); p = 0.0030]. Fishes in the weight categories 351–700 gm and 701–1,050 gm were found to be approximately 3 times [OR (95 % CI): 2.89 (1.22–6.86)] and 17 times [OR (95 % CI): 17.37 (5.05–19.87)] more likely to be infected, respectively, compared to those ≤350 gm.
Conclusion: The study area is hypoendemic for fish gastrointestinal helminthiasis with risk factors such as sex, fish species, and weight.

Key words: Prevalence; fish; parasites; Hadejia; Jigawa