Prevalence and Risk Factors of Active Trachoma among Children of Rural South Gonder, Ethiopia
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Date
2004-06
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Trachoma is a chronic communicable kerato-conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia
trachomatis. The disease can cause blindness if not treated. There are at least 146
million people in the world suffering from active trachoma, 4.9 million of whom
were blinded due to the disease. Studies conducted in Ethiopia on school children
showed that trachoma is highly prevalent and a major public health problem.
Trachoma is transmitted by flies, fomites and fingers. Numerous studies have
demonstrated that limited access to water supplies, low water consumption by the
households, and poor personal hygiene especially with regard to facial cleanliness are
all risk factors for chlamydia trachomatis. Even though their impact has not been
determined, efforts have been exerted to control the transmission of trachoma by the
ministry of health and other non-governmental organization. A cross-sectional
community-based study was conducted on children 1- 9 years old, residing in three
selected rural kebeles with different altitude, in Amhara region- Northern Ethiopia. A
total of 1872 children were included in the study. The study showed that the
prevalence of active trachoma was found to be 50% in highland area (2501 –
3000ms), 69.9% in medium altitude area (2001 – 2500ms) and 73.8% in low land
area (1600 – 2000ms). The difference in prevalence among children residing in the
three agro-ecological zones is statistically significant ( 2 = 98.9, p< 0.0001). The
result showed that distance from water source and presence of window in cooking
place, were found to be positively associated with active trachoma. Negatively
associated factors were altitude of residential area, water amount consumed for
domestic activities and regular use of soap. In conclusion altitude is significantly
associated with, and it is one of the indicators of prevalence of active trachoma.
Further detailed studies on the role of altitude on transmission of trachoma are
required. Mechanisms to improve face washing habit of children and water
accessibility should be considered when designing any trachoma control program.
Key words:- prevalence; active trachoma; altitude; risk factors; low land; high land;
demographic & economic factors; behavioral & environmental factors; Ethiopia.
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Keywords
prevalence; active trachoma; altitude; risk factors; low land; high land; demographic & economic factors; behavioral & environmental factors; Ethiopia.