Epidemiological Assessment of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Livestock at Techiman Slaughterhouse, Ghana: A One Health Perspective

Background Gastrointestinal parasitism remains a major constraint to livestock productivity and public health in developing countries. Abattoir-based surveillance offers a practical means to monitor infection patterns and associated food safety risks. This study assessed the prevalence and types of gastrointestinal parasites in livestock slaughtered at the Techiman Metropolitan Abattoir in Ghana within the One Health framework. Methods A total of 341 faecal samples were randomly collected from cattle, sheep, and goats immediately after evisceration between December 2021 and May 2022. Of these, 327 were processed and analyzed due to the loss of data for 14 samples. Flotation and sedimentation parasitological techniques were employed to detect helminth eggs and protozoan cysts, including those of nematodes and cestodes. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to determine prevalence and associations between infection and host species. Results The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths among the examined livestock was 52.0%. Specifically, 33.3% of samples tested positive for Strongyle ova, 11.6% for Moniezia spp, and mixed infections were observed in 7.0% of samples. Nearly half (48.0%) of the samples showed no detectable ova. Cattle constituted the majority of slaughtered species, followed by sheep and goats. There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between host species and parasite prevalence. Conclusion The high burden of gastrointestinal parasites detected at slaughter highlights substantial risks for livestock productivity and meat safety. Strengthening slaughterhouse hygiene, implementing species-specific parasite control programmes, and enhancing integrated abattoir surveillance within Ghana’s One Health system are urgently recommended.