Prevalence and factors associated with active trachoma among rural children aged 1–9 years in Chelia Woreda, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Globally, trachoma remains the leading infectious cause of blindness and 40.6 millions of people had active trachoma found in 29 of the countries in Africa. Ethiopia is the country most affected by trachoma worldwide. So far, no study was conducted in the study area and the prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 years is not known.

Objective: To assess prevalence of active trachoma and its associated factors among rural children aged 1–9 years in Chelia Woreda, West Shewa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2020.

Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Chelia Woreda from February 25 to March 30, 2020. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 450 study participants. Data was collected using structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview and clinical examination. Data was coded and entered to Epi-info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 21 for cleaning and analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independently associated factors.

Result: The overall prevalence of active trachoma cases was 77(17.8%) consisting of 62(14.3%) trachoma inflammation folliculitis and 15(3.5%) trachoma inflammation intense. Source of water for daily consumption, distance of water source from the house, absence of latrine utilization and presence of eye discharge on child face were independent predictors for children aged 1-9 years to have active trachoma.

Conclusion: This study revealed that the prevalence of active trachoma was high and children who had eye discharge and those from household with no latrine utilization and far away from water source were more likely to be affected by active trachoma. So, availing protected water source at the community surrounding, strengthening latrine utilization and face washing practice to reduce the burden of the disease is mandatory.