Prevalence and associations of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, northern Ethiopia

Abstract Background፡Trachoma is a neglected eye problem and an important cause of preventable corneal blindness. In endemic areas, initial infection can occur in early childhood, and following recurrent episodes of infection, it progresses to scarring and blindness. In past decades, trachoma disappeared from developed countries through enhancements of hygiene and sanitation but the disease is still a problem in developing countries. In Ethiopia, data indicate that Amhara is the region with the highest prevalence of active trachome. The aim of this study was to asse{Birlie, 2016 #48}ss prevalence and association of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, north Wollo zone, Amhara. Methods: A total of 596 children aged 1–5 years living in 30 of Wadla’s 150 rural villages were screened for signs of active trachoma using a cluster sampling technique. Following pre-testing of the survey instrument in a different district, questions about socio-demographic status were asked of heads of households by health informatics professionals. Integrated eye care workers, previously trained to undertake trachoma screening over one month, performed eye examination. Logistic regression was used to look for associations of active trachoma.Results: The prevalence of active trachoma among rural pre-school age children in Wadla district was 22%. Low economic status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.8 (95% CI 1.3–11.4), being 37– 48 months old (4.2;1.5–12.0), living in a house with thatched roof (4.4;1.4–13.6), presence of flies in the home (4.6;2.1–9.9), once-weekly face-washing frequency (8.6;2.5–29.3), having a face that had not been washed for longer than a week (10.6;2.9–37.7), and not using soap when washing hands (4.5;1.8–11.3) were associated with active trachomaConclusion: The prevalence of active trachoma among rural pre-school children was high and it is still a major public health problem in Wadla. Thus, the woreda health office should create awareness for Wadla woreda communities.