Prevalence and associated risk factors of equine wound in and around Asella town, South Eastern Ethiopia

Equines are essential in the farming and transport systems of many areas of developing countries including Ethiopia. However, their socioeconomic importance is often under recognized and they suffer from poor husbandry practices which threaten their welfare and health. Wound is main problem emanated from such practice that results in deviation of their health and welfare. Cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2016 to January, 2017 with the objective to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of wound in randomly selected equine in and around Assella town. Physical examination and semi-structured questionnaire were simultaneously employed to collect necessary information and possible risk factors. Out of 400 equines (278 horses and 122 donkeys) examined 250 were found to have wound on one or more of their body parts and the overall would prevalence was 62.5% of which 65.8% was in horses and 54.9% was observed in donkeys. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of wound was significantly higher in horse (65.8%) than donkeys (54.9%) (OR=3.509; 95% CI=1.505, 8.184, p= 0.004), the prevalence was higher in adult (66.6%) than in young equine (43.8%) (OR= 2.782, CI= 1.244, 6.225, p=0.013), in males (69.4%) than in females (42.1%) (OR= 4.192, CI=2.122, 8.281, p= 0.000), in poor body conditioned equines (97.0%) than in good body conditioned equines14.6% (OR=454.614, CI=124.291, 1662.829). Moreover, the prevalence of wound in relation to harnessing type was 69.3, 62.8 and 52% in grass, plastic and traditionally prepared leather, respectively. However, this variation was not statically significant (p= 0.111).There was significant variation in causes of wound between horse and donkeys and the wound caused by improper harness was highest (X2=39. 357, P-=0.000) in both horses (35.55%) and donkeys (25%). Similarly, the owners response to the management of wound in horses and donkeys was significantly (X2=15.308, p=0.032) different and the majority of donkeys (71.6%) and horses (65.5%) did not receive any help from their owners. This study revealed a high prevalence of equines wound in and around Asella town which indicate the prevailing situation of equine welfare and health problems. This strongly calls for a continuous awareness creation to equine owners on proper management and handling and improve their welfare and health thereby enhance the utilization and improve the livelihood of the community.