Prevalence of taeniid eggs in the faeces of domesticated and free-roaming dogs in Basrah, Iraq, and the knowledge of dog owners on cystic echinococcosis

The larval stages (metacestodes) of some taeniids of carnivores, particularly Echinococcus spp., can result in severe disease for humans and livestock. The prevalence of taeniid eggs by direct examination of faecal smears in 335 free-roaming dogs (FRD) and owned domesticated dogs in Basrah Province was 10.1% (95% CI 7.1, 13.9). A structured questionnaire was administered to 86 dog owners to investigate the influence of socio-demographic factors and management and husbandry practices on their knowledge of cystic echinococcosis (CE). The results of a multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that dog owners who fed offal had less knowledge of CE (OR=0.17, 95% CI 0.05, 0.53), while keeping a dog (s) tied up was associated with good knowledge (OR=7.0, 95% CI 2.1, 23.8). Dog owners who had a secondary or higher level of education also had better knowledge (OR=5.4, 95% CI 1.7, 17.3). It was concluded that an educational campaign should be developed for dog owners in Basrah to reduce the risk of disease in both humans and other animals.