A THESIS REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HEATLH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.

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