Prevalence and associations of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Trachoma is a neglected eye disease and an important cause of preventable corneal blindness. In endemic areas, initial infection can occur in early childhood and following a recurrent episodes, it progresses to scarring and visual impairment. Trachoma disappeared from high income countries through enhancements of hygiene and sanitation but the disease is still a challenge in developing countries. In Ethiopia, data indicate that Amhara is the region with the highest prevalence of active trachoma. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associations of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, Amhara region, Ethiopia.Methods: In this study, 596 children were screened for signs of active trachoma by using cluster-sampling technique. Following pre-testing of the survey instrument in a different district, questions about socio-demographic status were delivered for heads of households. Integrated eye care workers, previously trained to undertake trachoma screening for one month, performed eye examination. The logistic regression model was used to look for associations of active trachoma.Results: The prevalence of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district was 22%. Low economic status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]3.8 (95%CI 1.3–11.4), being 37–48 months old (4.2;1.5–12.0), living in a house with thatched roof (4.4;1.4–13.6), presence of flies in a home (4.6;2.1–9.9), once-weekly face-washing frequency (8.6;2.5–29.3), having a face that had not been washed for longer than a week (10.6;2.9–37.7), and not using soap (4.5;1.8–11.3) had association to active trachomaConclusion: The prevalence of active trachoma among rural pre-school children in Wadla district was high. This indicates that Trachoma is still a public health problem in the district. This high prevalence calls for further interventions to prevent future trachomatis blindness.

Clinically active trachoma and its associated factors among one to nine year old children in Tarmaber district, Amhara region, Ethiopia: community based crossectional study design

“…Furthermore, a child from a family who did not have a latrine in the compound had nearly four times greater odds of developing clinically active trachoma than those who had a latrine in their compound. This nding is consistent with different studies; a study from Wadla District showed that ve times, and a study from Areka District showed a nearly seven times greater likelihood of developing clinically active trachoma when compared with children from households with a latrine (10,23). However, this value was lower than that reported in a study from Gazagibela District, which reported a 12.9-fold greater probability of developing clinically active trachoma (27).…”

“…Therefore, the vector bazaar y will reach a comfortable zone for spreading disease-causing microorganisms. Therefore, the prevalence is high in this age group (3,10).…”

“…Although Ethiopia, in collaboration with different stakeholders, has been implementing surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental hygiene (SAFE) strategies throughout the nation, the country has held a high burden of trachoma for many years (2,10,12). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other different global and national problems, there has been stagnant attention and a scarcity of studies about the current status of the country toward the elimination of trachoma as a neglected tropical disease (13,14).…”