Parasitic livestock infections are among the major factors of animal and public health globally. Parasitic infections can cause high economic losses due to reduced productivity, increased morbidity, mortality rates, and high treatment and control costs. Smith and Jones, 2018, state that sheep, goats, and cattle can be exposed to various gastrointestinal parasites, which are always a threat to the health status of these animals and the quality of the produced meat and dairy products.

Livestock farming is another vital sector of agriculture that generates much-needed livelihoods in many rural communities in Ghana according to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) 2022 report. For this study, the Techiman slaughterhouse has been identified as having bustling livestock markets and slaughterhouses serving both local and distant meat markets are among the seven slaughterhouses in the Bono East Region of Ghana. Although parasitic infections in livestock potentially impact animal and human health in this region, the present status of prevalence and diversity remains understudied.

The paper places much emphasis on the Techiman Slaughterhouse, which is a key facility with the slaughter of large numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle daily. Previous studies have indicated that abattoirs could act as hotspots for parasitic infections since there is direct contact between the animals and the environment leading to contamination. This therefore calls for the establishment of a parasitic profile of the livestock in this slaughterhouse to implement a control measure in safeguarding the health of the animals and human populations.

This study evaluates the prevalence and types of parasitic infections in sheep, goats, and cattle at the Techiman Slaughterhouse. Faecal samples were obtained from the animals totaling 327 and were analyzed at the Techiman Disease Investigation Farm and Regional Veterinary Laboratory. Identifying the common parasites and their prevalence will be valuable information toward strategies for improved management of animal health in the area under study.

It is expected that this study will help add to the existing body of knowledge about parasitic infections in livestock and the need for frequent monitoring, coupled with intervention. This shall not only benefit the health and productivity of the animals but also improve the safety of the meat products for consumers according to Muriu, J. (2023) and Knecht et al., (2012).

· To determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in faecal samples from livestock at the Techiman Slaughterhouse.

· To identify the types of parasites, present in the samples.

· To assess the implications of these findings for livestock management and public health.

The findings of this study underscore the significant prevalence of parasitic infections among livestock at the Techiman Slaughterhouse, with a particular emphasis on Strongyle ova (33.33%) and Moniezia expansa (11.6%). These results align with the initial hypothesis presented in the introduction, where the potential for parasitic infections in livestock was highlighted as a pressing concern for both animal and public health. The presence of such parasites reaffirms the need for enhanced management practices, as emphasized by 23, to mitigate the economic and health impacts these infections pose.

The study's methodology was critical in achieving reliable results. By employing both qualitative and quantitative parasitological techniques, the research ensured the accurate identification and quantification of parasites. The flotation and sedimentation methods, as detailed in 1, provided robust frameworks for detecting nematode eggs, cestode eggs, and trematode eggs, while the quality control measures ensured the precision of the data. This rigorous approach strengthens the credibility of the findings and supports their relevance in addressing parasitic challenges in livestock.

The demographic data revealed a notable difference in the distribution of parasitic infections among species and sexes, which may reflect underlying factors such as management practices, environmental exposure, and biological susceptibility. Notably, cattle (bovine) dominated the slaughterhouse samples, suggesting that any intervention strategies must prioritize this group due to its representation and potential impact on meat quality and safety.

These results resonate with the concerns highlighted in the introduction regarding the Techiman Slaughterhouse serving as a potential hotspot for parasitic infections due to direct animal-environment contact. The data also provide a baseline for designing targeted interventions, such as regular deworming protocols, improved slaughterhouse sanitation, and education for livestock handlers. Such measures could significantly enhance livestock health and productivity, while also ensuring safer meat products for consumers—a point emphasized by Muriu, J. (2023) and Knecht et al., (2012).

The study also illuminates gaps in current livestock management practices, particularly in the Bono East Region, and underscores the importance of integrating routine parasitic monitoring into veterinary and public health initiatives. Future studies could expand on these findings by exploring seasonal variations in parasitic prevalence and the effectiveness of existing control measures, contributing to more sustainable livestock farming practices in Ghana.

This study highlighted the significant prevalence of parasitic infections among livestock processed at the Techiman Slaughterhouse, with 33.33% of samples infected with Strongyle ova and 11.6% with Moniezia expansa. These findings underscore the need for improved veterinary practices and regular monitoring of parasitic infections to enhance livestock health and ensure meat safety for consumers. The study also emphasizes the critical role of slaughterhouses as focal points for detecting and controlling zoonotic diseases, calling for enhanced biosecurity measures and public health interventions. By providing a parasitic profile of sheep, goats, and cattle in this region, this research contributes valuable data toward the sustainable management of animal and public health.

There should be the establishment of frequent parasitological screenings, adequate abattoir sanitation and health certifications for cattle to reduce parasite transmission and increase meat safety.

Training programs should be organized for livestock handlers on parasite control and encourage integrated measures including deworming, pasture rotation and better feeding practices to reduce parasite loads sustainably.

To address zoonotic concerns, the collaboration between veterinary and public health agencies should be strengthened by expanding routine health checks and treatments and educating consumers on safe meat handling and cooking methods.

This study was undertaken with no external funding. The authors personally paid all of the research expenses, including sample collection, laboratory analysis, and data processing. This underlines our dedication to the research team's efforts to better understand and manage parasite illnesses in livestock at the Techiman Slaughterhouse.

The data supporting this study's findings are available upon request from the corresponding author.