Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Active Trachoma Among Children Of Rural South Gonder Ethiopia

Trachoma is a chronic communicable kerato-conjunctivitis caused by chlamydiarntrachomatis. The disease can cause blindness if not treated. There are at least 146rnmillion people in the world suffering from active trachoma, 4.9 million of whomrnwere blinded due to the disease. Studies conducted in Ethiopia on school childrenrnshowed that trachoma is highly prevalent and a major public health problem.rnTrachoma is transmitted by flies, fomites and fingers. Numerous studies haverndemonstrated that limited access to water supplies, low water consumption by thernhouseholds, and poor personal hygiene especially with regard to facial cleanliness arernall risk factors for chlamydia trachomatis. Even though their impact has not beenrndetermined, efforts have been exerted to control the transmission of trachoma by thernministry of health and other non-governmental organization. A cross-sectionalrncommunity-based study was conducted on children 1- 9 years old, residing in threernselected rural kebeles with different altitude, in Amhara region- Northern Ethiopia. Arntotal of 1872 children were included in the study. The study showed that thernprevalence of active trachoma was found to be 50% in highland area (2501 –rn3000ms), 69.9% in medium altitude area (2001 – 2500ms) and 73.8% in low landrnarea (1600 – 2000ms). The difference in prevalence among children residing in thernthree agro-ecological zones is statistically significant ( 2 = 98.9, p< 0.0001). Thernresult showed that distance from water source and presence of window in cookingrnplace, were found to be positively associated with active trachoma. Negativelyrnassociated factors were altitude of residential area, water amount consumed forrndomestic activities and regular use of soap. In conclusion altitude is significantlyrnassociated with, and it is one of the indicators of prevalence of active trachoma.rnFurther detailed studies on the role of altitude on transmission of trachoma arernrequired. Mechanisms to improve face washing habit of children and waterrnaccessibility should be considered when designing any trachoma control program.rnKey words:- prevalence; active trachoma; altitude; risk factors; low land; high land;rndemographic & economic factors; behavioral & environmental factors; Ethiopia.

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