scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors of Active Trachoma among Rural Preschool Children in Wadla District, Northern Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mesfin Wudu Kassaw ◽  
Ayele Mamo Abebe ◽  
Kirubel Dagnaw Tegegne ◽  
Mikiyas Amare Getu ◽  
Woldemichael Tadesse Bihonegn

Abstract Background፡ Trachoma is a neglected eye problem and primary cause of preventable corneal blindness. In endemic areas, initial infection occurs in early childhood, and recurrent infection progress to scarring and blindness. In the past four decades, GET2020 initiative eliminated Trachoma from developed countries through enhancements of hygiene and sanitation but still a problem of developing countries. Studies and reports also indicated the presence of high prevalence of Trachoma in Ethiopia and in the study area. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and risk factors of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was considered to gather data from 583 children using sample size determination, but 596 children were screened for signs of active trachoma because of the sampling procedure nature, cluster sampling technique. Wadla district has 150 rural villages, which are similar in topography and socio-demographic status. Based on rule of thumb 30 villages (clusters) were included for the data collection. An interview on socio-demographic data were collected by health informatics professionals using structured interview questioners, which were prepared through reviewing previous literatures and pretested in Meket Woreda. Eye examination was performed by Integrated Eye Care Workers who trained for one month for the purpose of trachoma screening by Carter center-Ethiopia. Results - The prevalence of active trachoma among rural pre-school children in Wadla district was 130 (21.8%). Regarding risk factors, poor economic status (AOR (95% CI), (3.8 (1.3-11.4), being 37- 48 months old (AOR (95% CI), (4.2 (1.5-12.0), thatched house roof (AOR (95%CI), (4.4 (1.4-13.6), presence of fly in nearby home (AOR (95% CI), 4.6 (2.1-9.9), once weekly face washing frequency (AOR (95% CI), 8.6 (2.5-29.3), unwashed face for longer than a week (AOR (95% CI), 10.6 (2.9-37.7), not using soap (AOR (95% CI), 4.5 (1.8-11.3), and absence of latrine (AOR (95% CI), 5.1 (2.0-12.9) have association with active trachoma. Conclusion: Environmental factors weigh other factors and this could capture the intention of policy makers to emphasize on the environmental components like sanitation including face cleanness to decrease the prevalence of trachoma

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mesfin Wudu Kassaw ◽  
Ayele Mamo Abebe ◽  
Kirubel Dagnaw Tegegne ◽  
Mikiyas Amare Getu ◽  
Woldemichael Tadesse Bihonegn

Abstract Background፡ Trachoma is a neglected eye problem and primary cause of preventable corneal blindness. In endemic areas, initial infection occurs in early childhood, and recurrent infection progress to scarring and blindness. In the past four decades, GET2020 initiative eliminated Trachoma from developed countries through enhancements of hygiene and sanitation but still a problem of developing countries. Studies and reports also indicated the presence of high prevalence of Trachoma in Ethiopia and in the study area. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and risk factors of active trachoma among rural preschool children in Wadla district, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was considered to gather data from 583 children using sample size determination, but 596 children were screened for signs of active trachoma because of the sampling procedure nature, cluster sampling technique. Wadla district has 150 rural villages, which are similar in topography and socio-demographic status. Based on rule of thumb 30 villages (clusters) were included for the data collection. An interview on socio-demographic data were collected by health informatics professionals using structured interview questioners, which were prepared through reviewing previous literatures and pretested in Meket Woreda. Eye examination was performed by Integrated Eye Care Workers who trained for one month for the purpose of trachoma screening by Carter center-Ethiopia. Results - The prevalence of active trachoma among rural pre-school children in Wadla district was 130 (21.8%). Regarding risk factors, poor economic status (AOR (95% CI), (3.8 (1.3-11.4), being 37- 48 months old (AOR (95% CI), (4.2 (1.5-12.0), thatched house roof (AOR (95%CI), (4.4 (1.4-13.6), presence of fly in nearby home (AOR (95% CI), 4.6 (2.1-9.9), once weekly face washing frequency (AOR (95% CI), 8.6 (2.5-29.3), unwashed face for longer than a week (AOR (95% CI), 10.6 (2.9-37.7), not using soap (AOR (95% CI), 4.5 (1.8-11.3), and absence of latrine (AOR (95% CI), 5.1 (2.0-12.9) have association with active trachoma. Conclusion: Environmental factors weigh other factors and this could capture the intention of policy makers to emphasize on the environmental components like sanitation including face cleanness to decrease the prevalence of trachoma


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110245
Author(s):  
Getu Mosisa ◽  
Bikila Regassa ◽  
Bayise Biru

Introduction: Hypertension remains an emerging public health problem globally, particularly in developing countries. Age, income level, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, vegetables and fruit consumption, physical activity and chat chewing were some risk factors of hypertension. However, there are limited data on the epidemiology of hypertension in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess Epidemiology of Hypertension among the community of selected towns of Wollega zones. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 June 2019 in selected towns of Wollega zones. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 840 study participants. Data were collected using the WHO STEP wise approach. The data were coded and entered into EpiData 3, and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Results: The study included a total of 838 respondents with a response rate of 99.7%. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 189 (22.6%) (95% confidence interval = 19.9%–25.2%). Of this, 108 (12.9%) and 81 (9.7%) of female and male were hypertensive, respectively. Age groups of 30–44 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.65 (1.43, 4.89)), 45–59 years (adjusted odds ratio = 3.55 (1.79, 7.04)), above 60 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.97 (1.43, 6.18)), having history of alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio = 4.29 (2.4, 7.66)), involving in vigorous physical activity (adjusted odds ratio = 0.096 (0.028, 0.33)), not walking to and from the work (adjusted odds ratio = 13.12 (8.34, 20.67)), being overweight (adjusted odds ratio = 1.98 (1.21, 3.25)), inadequate fruits serving per day (adjusted odds ratio = 2.93 (1.75, 4.88)) were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be high in the study area. Older age, alcohol consumption, not engaging in vigorous activity, physical inactivity, being overweight and inadequate intake of fruits were found to be risk factors for hypertension. Therefore, health care providers should provide extensive health education and promotion on recommended lifestyle modification to tackle the burden of hypertension.


2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kessete Ayelgn ◽  
Tadesse Guadu ◽  
Atalay Getachew

Abstract Background Trachoma is an infectious disease of the eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and transmitted via contact with eye discharge from infected persons and leading to blindness worldwide. Children less than 9 years of age affected more seriously. The disease is common where access to water and sanitation are limited. Objective To determine the prevalence of active trachoma and associated factors among children aged 1–9 years in rural communities of Metema District, West Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Method A community based cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 792 children aged 1–9 years old in Metema district from April to May 2018. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and eye examination using binocular loupe to differentiate trachoma cases was the data collection methods and tools. The bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression model was employed for analysis. P-value < 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. Results A total of 752 children aged l-9 years were enrolled in this study with response rate of 94.9%. The overall prevalence of active trachoma among the study participants was 11.8% (95% CI, 9.5–13.9). Unprotected source of water (AOR = 4.7; 95% CI: 2.5–8.9), lower household water consumption (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3–6.0), improper latrine utilization (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.5–6.7), and frequency of face washing once per day (AOR = 5.3; 95% CI: 1.2–26.6) were the factors significantly associated with active trachoma. Conclusion The current study revealed a lower overall prevalence of active trachoma (11.8%) than the WHO threshold prevalence (20%) used to declare it as a severe public health problem. All residents and health professional should collaborate on trachoma prevention by implementing the WHO SAFE strategy- surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement for further trachoma elimination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayashree Gothankar ◽  
Prakash Doke ◽  
Girish Dhumale ◽  
Prasad Pore ◽  
Sanjay Lalwani ◽  
...  

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