Prevalence and factors associated with trachoma among children 1-9 years of age in Zalla district, Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Back ground: Trachoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. It is common in areas where the people are socio-economically deprived. Globally 1.2 billion people live in trachoma endemic areas, in which, 40.6 million individuals have active trachoma and 8.2 million have Trichiasis. According to the world health organization (2007) report, globally close to 1.3 million people are blind due to trachoma, while about 84 million suffer from active trachoma. The national survey (2007) of Ethiopia showed a prevalence of 40.1% active trachoma among children aged 1–9 years. Trachoma is still endemic in most parts of Ethiopia. Objective: To assess prevalence of trachoma and factors associated with it among children 1-9 years of age in Zala District, Gamogofa Zone, South Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Zala District from February 28 to March 26 2014. A total of 611 children were examined for trachoma based on simplified world health organization 1983 classification. Multistage stratified sampling technique with a systematic random sampling was used to select study participants. Data were collected by using semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire, and clinical eye examination. The data were entered using Epi data program version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independently associated factors. Results: The overall prevalence of active trachoma was 224 (36.7%) consisting of 207 (92.4%) Trachomatous follicle, 8 (3.6%) Trachomatous intense and 9 (4.0%) combination of Trachomatous follicle/ Trachomatous intense. Inadequate knowledge of family (AOR =2.8(95%CI: 1.9, 4.2); less than or equal to 10 meters latrine distance (AOR = 1.6(95%CI :1.09, 2.4); presence of above 2 pre-school children (AOR =2.2(95%CI :1.3, 3.7), fly on the face (AOR =6.3(95%CI: 2.7, 14.7) and unclean face (AOR =2.4(95%CI: 1.5, 3.9) were found to be independently associated with trachoma. Conclusions: Trachoma among children in Zalla district was disease of public health importance. Factors like inadequate knowledge of family head about trachoma, less than or equal to 10 meter latrine distance, presence of above 2 pre-school children, fly on the face, unclean face were independently risk of trachoma among children. So strengthening of Antibiotic, face washing and environmental improvement strategy implementation is mandatory.