Active trachoma and associated risk factors among children in Baso Liben District of East Gojjam, Ethiopia

BMC Public Health

Dagnachew Muluye²  Desalegn Woldeyohannes³  Moges Tiruneh²  Kassahun Ketema¹ 

[1] Department of Public Health Officer, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia;School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia;Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Ethiopia

关键词: Ethiopia;    Risk factors;    Prevalence;    Active trachoma;   

Others  :  1162703
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-12-1105

 received in 2012-07-04, accepted in 2012-11-16,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

Trachoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. It is common in areas where the people are socio-economically deprived. The aim of this study was to assess active trachoma and associated risk factors among children 1–9 years in East Gojjam.

Methods

Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Baso Liben District from February to April 2012. A two-stage random cluster-sampling technique was employed and all children 1–9 years old from each household were clinically assessed for trachoma based on simplified WHO 1983 classification. Data were collected by using semi-structured interview, pre-tested questionnaire and observation. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16 statistical package.

Results

From a total of 792 children screened for trachoma (of which 50.6% were girls), the overall prevalence of active trachoma was 24.1% consisting of only 17.2% [95% CI: 14.8, 20.1] TF and 6.8% TI. There were variations among children living in low land (29.3%) and in medium land (21.4%). In multivariate analysis, low monthly income (AOR = adjusted odds ratio) 2.98; 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.85-7.85), illiterate family (AOR = 5.18; 95% CI: 2.92-9.17); unclean face (AOR = 18.68; 95% CI: 1.98-175.55); access to water source (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.27-3.15); less than 20 liters of water use (AOR = 4.88; 95% CI: 1.51-15.78); not using soap for face washing (AOR = 5.84; 95% CI: 1.98-17.19); not using latrine frequently (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI: 0.01-0.42); density of flies (AOR = 3.77; 95% CI: 2.26-6.29); less knowledgeable family (AOR = 3.91; 95% CI: 2.40-6.38) and average monthly income (AOR = 2.98; 95% CI: 1.85-7.85) were found independently associated with trachoma.

Conclusion

Active trachoma is a major public problem among 1–9 years children and significantly associated with a number of risky factors. Improvement in awareness of facial hygiene, environmental conditions, mass antibiotic distribution and health education on trachoma transmission and prevention should be strengthened in the District.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Ketema et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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