Abstract:
Mastitis is a major prevalent and costly disease among dairy industries worldwide, causing a
reduction in milk yield and quality, increased milk wastage. A cross-sectional study was
carried out from April to August 2024, to estimate prevalence of mastitis, identify potential
risk factors, to isolate common mastitis causing pathogens and to assess awareness of disease
among participants in and around Injibara dairy farms. One stage cluster sampling method
was used to select representative sample of a population. Besides, a questionnaire survey was
conducted on 47 dairy farm attendants to quantify economic losses. Out of interviewed
attendants 48.94%, 53.19% and 42.55% had knowledge, positive attitude and good preventive
practice towards mastitis disease respectively. A total of 47 dairy farms, 282 lactating cows
and 1,128 quarters were tested using California Mastitis Test kit and physical examination.
The present study revealed that the overall prevalence of bovine mastitis at herd, cow and
quarter level was 55.32%, 17.38% and 6.59% respectively. Out of 282 cows tested 4.26%
clinical and 13.12% was sub-clinical mastitis. Multivariable logistic regression showed that
cross breed (AOR: 10.67; 95% CI: 2.524 – 45.091, P = 0.001), poor body condition (AOR:
5.95, 95% Cl: 1.282 – 27.586, P = 0.023), and previous history of mastitis (AOR: 35.14; 95%
CI: 9.834 – 125.6, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with mastitis. The common
mastitis causing pathogens isolated in this study were Staphylococci (56.52%), Streptococci
(21.74%), E.coli (13.04%) and mixed growth (8.70%). The overall economic loss in the
current study was 4,354.90 USD comprising 910.65 USD due to sub-clinical mastitis, 636.56
USD from clinical mastitis, and 2,807.69 USD results from decreased cow value of affected
cows. On average, the economic losses per farm were 145.16 USD, while 67 USD were lost
per infected dairy cow in one lactation period. In conclusion, this result revealed that the
prevalence of mastitis was found to be moderate, with a considerable economic loss in and
around Injibara town. This prevalence had a significantly impact on the productivity of dairy
herds in the study area. The objective of study was to estimate the economic losses associated
with mastitis. This necessitates an evidence based integrated prevention and control strategic
measures to minimize prevalence and economic loss in the study area.