Abstract:
Background: Trachoma is a neglected eye disease and an important cause of preventable
corneal blindness. In endemic areas, initial infection can occur in early childhood and following
a recurrent episodes, it progresses to scarring and visual impairment. Trachoma disappeared from
high income 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, Amhara region,
Ethiopia.
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 for 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 a 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) had association to active trachoma.
Conclusion: The prevalence of active trachoma among rural pre-school children in Wadla
district was high. This indicates that Trachoma is still a public health problem in the district. This
high prevalence calls for further interventions to prevent future trachomatis blindness.
