Toxoplasmosis is a global zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular apicomplexan parasite.
The objectives of this study were to estimate the animal and flock level seroprevalence and risk factors
associated with toxoplasmosis in goats of Central Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, goats are economically important
animals used for meat and milk production. The study was cross-sectional and 927 blood samples from
187 goat flocks were collected to examine T. gondii specific IgG antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). A questionnaire was used to collect data on the potential risk factors. The study
revealed flock and animal level seroprevalence of 58.3% (109/187; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.16,
65.42) and 19.7% (183/927; 95% CI: 17.17, 22.31), respectively. The likelihood of acquiring T. gondii infection
was higher in semi-intensively managed goats (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]:
1.14, 5.37; P = 0.022) than in extensively managed goats, in females than in males (OR = 1.84, 95% CI:
1.16, 2.92; P = 0.010), in adults than in young animals (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.28; P = 0.006), in small
than in large flocks (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.98; P = 0.040), in goats kept under sedentary (OR = 2.81,
95% CI: 1.41, 5.59; P = 0.003) and agropastoral farming system (OR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.83, 7.18; P < 0.001)
than pastoral farming system and in goats allowed to drink water from the tap than those drinking from
river and stagnant water bodies (OR = 9.25, 95% CI: 3.04, 28.15; P < 0.001). Our study indicates that
exposure of goats to oocysts of T. gondii is widespread. We recommend further studies to determine
the genotype of the parasite, public health and economic impacts of toxoplasmosis and the role of raw
goat meat and milk as a source of infection for consumers