Livestock, play an important role in human society by the supplying food, fiber, and various other products (Adams et al., 2021; Adams and Ohene-Yankyera, 2014). The livestock industry provides support to around 1,000,000,000 smallholder farmers from developing countries (Alders et al., 2021). In Somalia, there are about 56,900,000 livestock populations. Out of  these, both goats and sheep are approximately 44,500,000 (Erdaw, 2023) and followed by camels 7.2 million  (Too et al., 2015; Yirgu et al., 2023).

According to the production system of small ruminants found in Somalia, there are two groups of systems, namely a mix of pastoralist and agro-pastoral; therefore, the small ruminants are part of mixed production systems. Pastoralist migrates from place to place in seasonally with their animals to seek an appropriate place for pasture and water is common. In Somalia, ectoparasites limit small ruminant productivity for a variety of reasons, particularly the fact that ectoparasite rates rise and cause numerous diseases throughout the rainy period which reduces the health and productivity of small ruminants, lack of husbandry practices, availability of poor quality and quantity feed, lack of screening ectoparasites, low knowledge of farmers or owners and lack the role of Ministry of Livestock Forestry (MoLF) and Range towards ectoparasites control campaign practice where the ectoparasites are the most prevalent. All these factors contribute the occurrence and increased numbers of ectoparasites that lead to lessen the production of sheep and goats In Somalia. Furthermore, these losses of production are associated to the increased feed demand and additional costs for medical treatment (Uddin et al., 2022).

To reduce economic losses caused by ectoparasites in goat and sheep, it is essential to implement effective management and control strategies. Zam Zam Foundation, a humanitarian, non-governmental, and non-profit organization established in 1992, focuses on supporting the most vulnerable populations during times of crisis. The foundation has initiated a program to distribute animal fodder, seeds, tools, replacement livestock, and veterinary drugs to communities severely impacted by climate change and conflict. In 2023, they extended their efforts to the local region, by providing veterinary drugs to combat livestock diseases, with a special emphasis on controlling ectoparasites, which are most prevalent in the area. The purpose of this study survey was to evaluate the issues and effects of the management strategy and its execution practices, as well as the owners level of awareness regarding the implications of ectoparasites and how to control them. The data is significant because the results of the investigation help make an unbiased decision regarding ectoparasite control tactics. 

Study Area and Location

The survey was conducted collaboratively at Jalalaqsi District, a town in the south-central Hiiran region of Somalia and Bangladesh. It is located on the Shebelle River, between Jowhar and Buulob-urde with latitude of 3.3851 and longitude of 45.5960E. In Jalalaqsi, summers are brief, extremely hot, and generally cloudy, while winters are warm with partial cloud cover. The climate in the region is stormy, dry, and moist all year round. Temperatures seldom drop below 67°F or rise over 103°F; they typically vary between 70°F and 101°F (Billi and Sebhat, 2022).

Up to now, there was no previous study conducted in Jalalaqsi district related to the study evaluation of ectoparasites goats and sheep and farmers awareness followed by campaign treatment of Zamzam foundation. Thus, using Slovens method, the number of farmers who were interviewed was determined. A total of 109 questionnaire samples were given to the farmers, who were selected from a population of 150 with a 5% margin of error. Sample sites were chosen by random sampling, and data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Therefore, 109 farmers were required to evaluate the information, notice the issues, and watch the methods used to manage ectoparasites.

Sample Size and Technique of the Sampling

Study Design and Analysis of Data 

The study was conducted from April-2024 to July-2024 in a cross-sectional study design. A simple Semi-structured questionnaire paper format was arranged to mark the objectives of this study. 

Fig. 1: Jalalaqsi Map (QGIS, 2024).

A total of 109 owners goats and sheep were randomly selected from three different village localities: 37, 36 and 36 respondents were from three (3) villages.  Microsoft excel data sheet was entered the collected raw data and then analyzed by using Statistical software (SPSS version 20 software) and the information was concluded by dividing positive/negative samples for the total number of the farmers interviewed. 

The questionnaire study was distributed to 109 small ruminant owners, with 94/109 (86.2%) men and 15/109 (13.8%) women participating. Individual interviews revealed that 49/109 (44.9%) were illiterates, 30/109 (27.5%) were able to read and write, 18/109 (16.5%) graduated from primary school, and lastly 12/109 (11.1%) had attended secondary school. Out of the total 109 interviewed 95/109(87.1%) were married, 3/109(2.8%) and 3/109(2.8%) 8/109(7.2%), widowed, divorced and single respectively (Table 1).

Table 1: Socio-demographic features of the respondents.

The present observations of (Table 2) had manifested that the majority of small ruminants production system is mixed with 34/109 (31.2%) participants management small ruminants independent in their own single house, 15/109(13.8%) reared by mixed small ruminants together and regarding to the answers of 60/109(55%) goats and sheep had been reared with other domestic animals including cat and dog. These goats and sheep were mixed in different locality areas such as grazing, watering point and market place showed by 90/109(82.6%) respondents. When considering animal owners knowledge of ectoparasite problems, 100/109 (91.7%) participants understood that ectoparasites are serious issues and clearly demonstrated that they knew one or more ectoparasites that affect small ruminants, while 60/109 (55%) of surveyed owners knew that lice, fleas, ticks, and mange are ectoparasites of tiny ruminants (sheep and goats). And 39/109 (35.7%) and 10/109 (9.2%) of owners surveyed were aware that (tick and lice) and fleas affect sheep and goats, respectively. Nonetheless, 45% of those responsible lacked enough understanding about mange mites. During the study, 100/109 (91.7%) of the owners stated that ectoparasites were a severe problem affecting the health and profitability of small ruminants (sheep and goats). Ectoparasites can cause starvation, itching, poor development, and mortality if not treated owing to high infestations. In addition to owners responded that ticks, 40/109(36.7%) causes major problems to the sheep and goats when compared to other ectoparsites (lice, flea and mange mite).

Table 2: Level of the awareness in the respondents and system of the production. 

According to the availability of veterinary service regular, 60/109(55%) of owners sheep and goats replied that veterinary services were not available in the study area and also (35.7%) of respondents replied that veterinary services were not regular but available. Out of the 109 interviewed owner, 24(22%) of respondents did not treated their goats sheep and due to not know about the control campaign. Several of the proprietors Although the majority of owners (68.8%) medicated their sheep and goats, 10/109 (9.2%) failed to feed their animals despite being aware of the control program. Of the owners, 60/109 (55.1%) employed no treatment alternative throughout the control campaign except chemicals, while 27.5% used the conventional method of topical oil treatment and 19.4% used water (Table 3).

Table 3: Veterinary medicines and other alternatives availability and treatment.

During the survey of interval period of treatment was observed. According to (Table 4) the response of owners 70/109(64.1%) treated their small ruminants (sheep and goats) at four weeks period interval. Whereas 39/109(35.7%) of the owners given and treated their sheep and goat at six interval period treatment. According to the treatment options during the control program, majority (87.2%) of owners used treatment as spraying. 

Table 4: Activities on the spraying and dipping. 

Out of 109, 69(63.2%) replied that the control campaign treatment for ectoparasites was good but not sustainable. But 8/109(7.2%) of respondents responded that the treatment did not bring any change to their animals and some of respondents replied that the treatment campaign was quite well. In the study area, the owners (81.7%) did not sell the skin of their sheep and goats but were given as free while a few of them 20/109(18.3%) sold the skin to get income.

The questionnaire survey aimed to gather information regarding husbandry practices, the awareness of ectoparasites among the owners, the effects these parasites have on the animals, treatment methods employed, and the impact of ectoparasite control interventions in Jalalaqsi district. The Zam Zam Foundations ectoparasite control campaign was assessed as part of the study, and while the campaign was appreciated, there was a consensus that more needs to be done to ensure sustainable results. The husbandry procedures revealed a diversified manu-facturing process. A minority (31.1%) of livestock owners managed their small ruminants independently at home, while the majority (54%) kept their animals in mixed herds along with other domestic animals, such as dogs and cats. The latter technique provides particular issues in ectoparasite management since the commingling of different animal species allows infections to colonise more easily. This is particularly concerning given the fact that all respondents (99.9%) indicated awareness of the existence of one or more ectoparasites affecting their sheep and goats. 

The survey further explored the treatment schedules implemented by Zam zams foundation. The majority (64.1%) reported treating their animals at four-week intervals, while a smaller group (35.9%) adhered to six-week intervals. The variation in treatment regularity might have a substantial impact on the success of prevention programs, as ectoparasite life cycles differ and regular treatment is required to break the parasitic cycle. Most respondents (63.4%) indicated that the drugs used had a positive impact on controlling parasites, although the treatments were often not sustainable in the long run. This suggests that while treatments are effective in the short term, long-term control requires more comprehensive approaches. A small proportion of respondents (7.4%) reported no noticeable improvement following treatment, further illustrating the limitations of current practices. The data imply that, while helpful, current treatment levels are inadequate to ensure over time ectoparasite eradication. The irregularity and limited scope of these campaigns may contribute to the reported recurrence of infestations

The questionnaire survey revealed that 9.1% of respondents had access to regular modern veterinary services, and 68.9% were treated their goats and sheep. Despite some variations, nearly all participants were aware of the existence of ectoparasites in goats and sheep. However, they regularly raised worries about ectoparasite infestations, with several experi-encing re-infestation following treatment regimens. The poll also found that the majority of small ruminant owners housed their goats and sheep among other animals and enabled them to interact with animals from various areas. Furthermore, they lacked regular veterinarian care, enough understanding of the efficacy of treatment alternatives, and awareness of the suitable treatment intervals and procedures required to entirely remove ectoparasites. They were also unsure of the proper volume of solution required to adequately treat all body regions of the animals for efficient ectoparasite management. Based on these observations, the following suggestions are given below: 

• The Ministry of Livestock, Forestry, and Ranges should create and implement a successful chemical control program. It is important to think about the effectiveness of intervals, increase the frequency of applications, and use effective application of chemical techniques. The appropriate veterinary extension programs should put this technique into practice to lessen the ectoparasite load.
• Start awareness efforts to inform the general public about the effects of ectoparasites on the production and health of cattle, emphasizing the significance of routine prevention and treatment methods.
• Before integrating newly imported animals into the primary flock, an explicit plan for animal mobility should be developed, and quarantine protocols should be followed.

Z.A.A.: Designed the study. Z.A.A.:; M.A.H.; and H.M.S.: Performed the methodology. A.A.S.; and Y.I.O.: Carried out the data collection and analysis. Z.A.A.: Composed the draft manuscript. All the authors checked and approved the final manuscript for the final publication.

The present was conducted in compliance with ethical standards and guidelines. We thank to the authorities and respondents for help us to conduct the successful study. 

The authors confirm that they have no conflicts of interest related to this research work.