Status of Herd Health Biosecurity Measures and Associated Risk Factors in Dairy Farms in Asella–Bishoftu Milk Shed, Ethiopia

Abstract

Biosecurity measures (BSMs) are risk-reduction strategies that prevent pathogen introduction and limit disease spread in dairy herds. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted from July 2025 to February 2026 to assess the BSM status and associated factors in dairy farms in Asella, Adama, and Bishoftu, Ethiopia. The towns were purposely selected, while the kebeles (the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia) and the farms were randomly chosen. The data were collected from 300 farms using an online kobotoolbox. The external and internal biosecurity practice scores were calculated using the conceptual framework of Ghent University’s Biocheck tool. Overall, 85% of the farms had poor external BSMs (<50%), while 16.7% had poor internal BSMs. The contrast between relatively good internal and poor external BSMs indicated that disease management was largely focused on control after pathogen entry rather than prevention. In total, 62% of the farms exhibited poor combined BSMs (internal and external). Poor BSMs were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with a lack of formal education (OR = 17.08), non-membership in a milk cooperative (OR = 3.25), no training (OR = 3.34), small-scale farming (OR = 1.89), and limited land (<60 m2; OR = 3.8). In conclusion, BSM adoption was low, emphasizing the need for improved training and supportive policies to enhance productivity.