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Peer-reviewedCC BYDiscover Public Health

A Systematic review and meta-analysis of bovine tuberculosis prevalence in Ethiopia from 2015 to 2025

  • Alebachew Tilahun Wassie1
  • Yihenew Getahun Ambaw2
  • Simegnew Adugna Kallu3
  • Ambachew Motbaynor Wubaye4
  • Simachew Getaneh Endalamew5
  • Andnet Yirga Assefa5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Bahir Dar University
  2. 2Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agricultural Science, Woldia University
  3. 3College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya University
  4. 4Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Debre Tabor University
  5. 5Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Bahir Dar University
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Abstract

Background Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains a major constraint to cattle production and poses a significant zoonotic threat in Ethiopia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively synthesize published evidence on the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Ethiopia between 2015 and 2025 and provide an updated pooled prevalence estimate to inform disease control strategies and guide future research priorities. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online for studies published between January 30, 2015 to December 25, 2025. Eligible observational studies were identified following PRISMA guidelines. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled prevalence. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression explored heterogeneity by publication year, geographic region, study setting, diagnostic method, and sample size. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for age, sex, breed, body condition, and herd size. Results Thirty-four studies were included. The pooled prevalence of bTB was 7.86% (95% CI: 5.43– 10.70%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 99.2%). Adult (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.11–1.75) and older cattle (OR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.67–2.75) had significantly higher odds of bTB than young animals. Local breeds had lower odds of infection than exotic breeds (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.45–0.63). Medium (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.52–0.70) and good body condition (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.43–0.62) were associated with lower odds of infection than poor body condition. Male cattle had lower odds of bTB than females (OR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.59–0.77), whereas cattle in medium-sized (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.19–2.31) and large herds (OR = 4.31; 95% CI: 3.13–5.93) had higher odds of infection than those in small herds. Conclusions Bovine tuberculosis remains endemic in Ethiopia, with significant geographical variation. Older age, exotic breed, poor body condition, female, and larger herd size were significant risk factors. These findings support risk-based surveillance, strengthened farm biosecurity, and integrated One Health strategies to improve bTB control in Ethiopia.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{wassie2026systematic,
  title = {{A Systematic review and meta-analysis of bovine tuberculosis prevalence in Ethiopia from 2015 to 2025}},
  author = {Alebachew Tilahun Wassie and Yihenew Getahun Ambaw and Simegnew Adugna Kallu and Ambachew Motbaynor Wubaye and Simachew Getaneh Endalamew and Andnet Yirga Assefa},
  journal = {Discover Public Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1186/s12982-026-02974-z},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-02974-z},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - A Systematic review and meta-analysis of bovine tuberculosis prevalence in Ethiopia from 2015 to 2025
AU  - Alebachew Tilahun Wassie
AU  - Yihenew Getahun Ambaw
AU  - Simegnew Adugna Kallu
AU  - Ambachew Motbaynor Wubaye
AU  - Simachew Getaneh Endalamew
AU  - Andnet Yirga Assefa
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Discover Public Health
DO  - 10.1186/s12982-026-02974-z
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-02974-z
AB  - Background Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains a major constraint to cattle production and poses a significant zoonotic threat in Ethiopia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively synthesize published evidence on the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Ethiopia between 2015 and 2025 and provide an updated pooled prevalence estimate to inform disease control strategies and guide future research priorities. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online for studies published between January 30, 2015 to December 25, 2025. Eligible observational studies were identified following PRISMA guidelines. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled prevalence. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression explored heterogeneity by publication year, geographic region, study setting, diagnostic method, and sample size. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for age, sex, breed, body condition, and herd size. Results Thirty-four studies were included. The pooled prevalence of bTB was 7.86% (95% CI: 5.43– 10.70%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 99.2%). Adult (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.11–1.75) and older cattle (OR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.67–2.75) had significantly higher odds of bTB than young animals. Local breeds had lower odds of infection than exotic breeds (OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.45–0.63). Medium (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.52–0.70) and good body condition (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.43–0.62) were associated with lower odds of infection than poor body condition. Male cattle had lower odds of bTB than females (OR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.59–0.77), whereas cattle in medium-sized (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.19–2.31) and large herds (OR = 4.31; 95% CI: 3.13–5.93) had higher odds of infection than those in small herds. Conclusions Bovine tuberculosis remains endemic in Ethiopia, with significant geographical variation. Older age, exotic breed, poor body condition, female, and larger herd size were significant risk factors. These findings support risk-based surveillance, strengthened farm biosecurity, and integrated One Health strategies to improve bTB control in Ethiopia.
SN  - 3005-0774
ER  -