Prevalence and factors associated with Porcine Cyticercosis among pigs slaughtered at Kitgum Municipality

Abstract

Porcine cysticercosis (PCC), caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium, is a significant zoonotic disease affecting pig production and public health in low and middle-income countries. This study determined the prevalence and the factors associated with porcine cysticercosis among pigs slaughtered in Kitgum Municipality, Northern Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to January 2025 in which 228 pigs presented to the major pig slaughter places in Kitgum Municipality were randomly selected and visually examined for cystic lesions in the tongue, thigh muscles, heart, and diaphragm and the status were recorded as T. solium positive or negative. Pig associated factors for each pig, including breed, age, origin and farm management system, were collected using structured questionnaires administered to pig dealers at the pig slaughter places. Data collected was analyzed using Stata version 14.2, with proportions calculated to establish the prevalence and chi-square tests used to assess associations between pig factors and porcine cysticercosis occurrence. This study revealed that prevalence of porcine cysticercosis among slaughtered pigs in Kitgum Municipality was low (1.75 %, n=228 at 95% confidence interval: 0.65 – 4.61%). The study also found a statistically significant association between free roaming of pigs and occurrences of porcine cysticercosis among pigs presented for slaughter at Kitgum municipality. However, there were no statistically significant associations between other pig factors (breed, age and sex) and occurrence of porcine cysticercosis- (P- Value) >0.05. In conclusion, porcine cysticercosis remains a public health concern in Kitgum Municipality. Pig management systems played a key role in disease occurrence. There is a critical need to promote confinement and housing of pigs among farmers and enforce meat inspection protocols to curb the spread of this zoonotic parasitic disease.