Abstract:
Background:Trachoma is an infectious eye disease caused byChlamydia trachomatis, which is the leading
infectious cause of blindness worldwide. In areas where trachoma is endemic, active trachoma is common among
preschool-aged children, with varying magnitude. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of active trachoma
and associated risk factors among preschool-aged children in Dembia District, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods:A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among preschool-aged children of northwest
Ethiopia. Multistage systematic random sampling was used to select 695 subjects. Trained clinical optometrists
subjected each child to an ocular examination and assessed the presence of active trachoma. Face to face interview
using pretested and structured questionnaire were conducted to collect data on possible risk factors. Trachoma cases
were graded following a World Health Organization simplified grading scheme. All statistical analysis was carried out
using the SPSS software version 20. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to
identify factors associated with active trachoma.
Results:Of the 681 preschool-aged children studied, 18% (95%CI: 15.4% –21.1%) had a prevalence of active trachoma.
Children who had clean faces (absence of nasal and ocular discharges) had a lower chance of having active trachoma
[aOR= 0.55, 95%CI:0.37–0.82]. The odds of having active trachoma decreased with an increase in the distance to a
water point [aOR= 0.51, 95%CI:0.33–0.78]. Similarly, no or poor utilization of liquid waste disposal in the child’s
household was associated with an increased chance of having active trachoma [aOR= 3.83, 95%CI:1.26–11.61].
Conclusion:The prevalence of active trachoma in these preschool-aged children was found to be high and needs
special interventions that focus on educating families about proper face washing, liquid waste disposal, and improving
safe water supply near the households.
Keywords:Active trachoma, Cross-sectional study, Preschool- aged children, northwest Ethiopia
