Prevalence and Risk Factors of Trachoma among Children of Woreillu Woreda, South Wollo Administrative Zone

Abstract

Background: Trachoma is still prevalent in large regions of Africa including Ethiopia. Crowded living condition, scarcity of water, poor hygiene and ownership of cuttle were incriminated as risk factors by studies in some countries. But the degree to which these actors contribute to the development of trachoma has not been well documented in Ethiopia, especially in rural communities where the problem prevails.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Woreillu Woreda, South Wollo administrative zone to determine the prevalence and factors associated with trachoma among children of age 5 to 15 years. A sample of 560 children in the age group of 5 to 7 years of age were examined for the presence of trachoma. The World Health Organisation's (WHO) simplified classification scheme for assessing trachoma in Community based surveys was used for the purpose. Prior to the examination un nterview was conducted with the mother or caretaker of each child using a structured questionnaire.

Results: The prevalence of trachoma was found to be 10.9% A total of 161(28.8%) children were found to have active trachoma (TF and/or TT). On multiple logistic regression older age group, not going to school, face washing habit less than once a day and failure to seek eye care service were found to be associated with the presence of trachoma in this study population. Other factors, which were independently and positively associated with the presence of trachoma, include poor household und environmental conditions (animals living in the same room with people, cooking in the living room, absence of proper waste disposal).

Conclusion: An attempt af decreasing trachoma in the face of scarcity of resources, focusing on improving hygienic conditions both in the household and its surroundings and changing people's behavior towards washing their face more frequently is recommended.