Helminthiasis of rabbits on the upland and lowland areas and the risk factors

Abstract

Rabbits are a potential livestock commodity to supply quality meat with higher protein and lower fat and cholesterol content than other meat. Helminthiasis is a parasitic worm infection that has imposed economic loss involving some risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the helminthiasis cases in both upland and lowland areas, as well as their risk factors on helminthiasis infection of rabbit farming. A total of 192 rabbit samples was derived from Baturraden and Kalibagor, Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. The research engaged a survey method with a purposive sampling. Data on the correlation between the areas and helminthiasis incidence were subjected to a chi square analysis. The risk factors were computed in the 2x2 contingency table and analyzed with Odds Ratio. The result showed a significant correlation between the altitude of an area and the helminthiasis incidence (P<0.05). Regarding the host, male rabbit is 1.15 times as risky as the female counterparts to get helminthiasis infection. Meanwhile, the environmental factors, such as the metal floor of the rabbit cage contribute 7.42 times as much risk of helminthiasis infection as that of wooden floor.