Abstract
BackgroundTrachoma is a disease of the eye, caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. Ethiopia is one of the most trachoma-affected countries in the world. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and associated risk factors for active trachoma among children in selected woredas of North and South Wollo Zones in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.MethodsThis study was a community-based, cross-sectional study, which was conducted from October to December 2014 among children aged 1–8. A four-stage random cluster sampling technique was employed to select the study areas and participants. From each selected household, one child was clinically assessed for active trachoma. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between predictor variables and active trachoma.ResultsThe overall prevalence of active trachoma among 1358 children was found to be 21.6% (95% CI: 19.4–23.8%). When analyzed by the presence or absence of individual WHO simplified system signs of active trachoma, trachomatous inflammation-follicular cases constituted18% (95% CI: 15.9–20.2%), while 4.7% (95% CI: 3.6–5.8%) were trachomatous inflammation-intense cases. Ocular discharge (aOR = 5.2; 95% CI: 3.3–8.2), nasal discharge (aOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2–2.7), time taken to fetch water (aOR = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01–0.05), frequency of hand and face washing (aOR = 4.4; 95% CI: 1.1–17.8), and access to a latrine (aOR = 0.006; 95% CI: 0.001–0.030) were found to be independently associated with the presence of active trachoma.ConclusionsThere is a high burden of active trachoma among children in the study areas. Lack of personal hygiene and limited access to a safe water supply and latrines were associated with increased prevalence of active trachoma. In order to reduce the burden of active trachoma, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement components of the SAFE strategy should be upgraded in the study areas.
Highlights
Trachoma is a disease of the eye, caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which can lead to blindness if left untreated
It is reversible by eyelid surgery, but if left untreated, it could lead to irreversible damage to the eye, corneal opacification, low vision, and blindness [3]
The four components of the SAFE strategy must be implemented with equal attention for successful trachoma control
Summary
Trachoma is a disease of the eye, caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. Trachoma is an eye disease that causes a characteristic roughening of the inner surface of the eyelids and can lead to blindness if left untreated [1]. It is caused by repeated Chlamydia trachomatis infections [2]. Untreated, repeated C. trachomatis infections result in the development of scar tissue on the inside of the eyelid (the conjunctiva), which pulls the eyelashes inward and rubs against the cornea This extremely painful condition is known as trichiasis. Blinding trachoma is restricted to areas with poor personal and community hygiene [4]
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