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

Abstract Background፡Trachoma is a neglected eye infection and important cause of preventable corneal blindness. In endemic areas, initial infection can occur in early childhood and following recurrent episodes, it progresses to scarring and visual impairment. In the past decades, trachoma disappeared from developed countries through enhancements of hygiene and sanitation but the disease is still a challenge in developing countries. In Ethiopia, data indicate that Amhara is the region with the highest prevalence of active trachoma. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associations of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, north Wollo zone, Amhara.Methods: In this study, 596 children were screened for signs of active trachoma by using cluster-sampling technique. Following pre-testing of the survey instrument in a different district, questions about socio-demographic status were delivered for heads of households. Integrated eye care workers, previously trained to undertake trachoma screening over one month, performed eye examination. The logistic regression model was used to look for associations of active trachoma.Results: The prevalence of active trachoma among rural preschool 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 (4.5;1.8–11.3) were had association to active trachomaConclusion: The prevalence of active trachoma among rural pre-school children was high. Trachoma is still a major public health problem in Wadla. Further interventions are needed to prevent future trachomatous blindness.