Incidence of calf morbidity and mortality and its associated risk factors in dairy farms of Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Calf morbidity and mortality hinder herd replacement and sustainable dairy production. Although many studies have examined calf health outcomes in Ethiopia, reported incidence estimates vary widely. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify pooled incidence rates of calf morbidity and mortality following the PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed longitudinal studies with a minimum follow-up duration of six months were identified through systematic searches in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from January 1, 2000, to October 1, 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool. Random-effects model was used to estimate pooled incidence rates. Heterogeneity among studies was quantified using the inconsistency index (I²). Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and Begg’s rank correlation test. Sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the influence of individual studies on pooled estimates. Among 481 identified records, nine studies were included for each outcome, comprising 2029 calves assessed for morbidity and 2595 calves assessed for mortality. The pooled incidence rates of calf morbidity and mortality were 29.32 (95% CI: 15.50–55.48) and 9.14 (95% CI: 5.31–15.72) per 100 calf-months, respectively. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies. Calf age, delayed first colostrum ingestion, and assisted calving were significantly associated with higher risks of morbidity and…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- Tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
- A new aging measure captures morbidity and mortality risk across diverse subpopulations from NHANES IV: A cohort study
- Fruit, vegetable, and legume intake, and cardiovascular disease and deaths in 18 countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study
- Are noise and air pollution related to the incidence of dementia? A cohort study in London, England
- Long COVID symptoms and duration in SARS-CoV-2 positive children — a nationwide cohort study
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.