Abstract:
ABSTRUCT
Background: Trachoma is infectious eye disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
The disease is common where access to water and sanitation are limited specially In
rural district and also have poor environmental sanitation, inadequate water supply, and
poor socioeconomic status are highly exposed with the disease.
Objective: To assess prevalence and associated factors of active trachoma among
children aged 1–9 years in rural communities of Metema District, West Gondar Zone,
Northwest Ethiopia, 2018.
Method: A community based cross sectional study design was conducted among 752
children aged 1-9 years in Metema District from April to May 2018. Multistage sampling
technique was applied. Structured and pretested questionnaire and eye examination by
using binocular loupe was data collection tools. The WHO simplified classification
scheme for assessing trachoma in community was used. Data was entered and
analysis by using SPSS version 20 statistical package. Binary logistic regression was
used and variables association with the dependent variable p-value < 0.2 was fitted to
multiple logistic regression models for further analysis. Possible association and
statistical significance between and among variables were measured using odds ratio
with 95% confidence interval.
Results: prevalence of active trachoma was 11.8%[ 95% CI 9.5, 13.9 ].The prevalence
difference among sex and age group was 5.8 % and 6% for Male and Female and
4.6%, 3.3 % and 3.9% for children 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9 age groups respectively.
Unprotected Source of water (AOR=4.694, 95% CI: 2.467-8.930), Water consumption
(AOR= 2.751 95% CI: 1.268-5.972), Improper Latrine utilization (3.154 AOR= 95 % CI:
1.490-6.677), frequency of face washing one per day (AOR=5.294, 95 % CI 1.141-
24.558) were founded to be associated with active trachoma.
Conclusions and recommendations: Prevalence was lower than other study
conducted and WHO threshold prevalence (20%) used for to determine trachoma as a
severe public health problem. Improve awareness of the community through health
education programs in multidisciplinary approach about frequency of face washing
,utilization of latrine and environmental improvement and good coordination work on
