Berta, Endale (2004) Prevalence and Risk Factors of Active Trachoma among Children of Rural South Gonder, Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
Trachoma is a chronic communicable kerato-conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia trachomatis. The disease can cause blindness if not treated. There are at least 146 million people in the world suffering from active trachoma, 4.9 million of whom were blinded due to the disease. Studies conducted in Ethiopia on school children showed that trachoma is highly prevalent and a major public health problem. Trachoma is transmitted by flies, fomites and fingers. Numerous studies have demonstrated that limited access to water supplies, low water consumption by the households, and poor personal hygiene especially with regard to facial cleanliness are all risk factors for chlamydia trachomatis. Even though their impact has not been determined, efforts have been exerted to control the transmission of trachoma by the ministry of health and other non-governmental organization. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted on children 1- 9 years old, residing in three selected rural kebeles with different altitude, in Amhara region- Northern Ethiopia. A total of 1872 children were included in the study. The study showed that the prevalence of active trachoma was found to be 50% in highland area (2501 – 3000ms), 69.9% in medium altitude area (2001 – 2500ms) and 73.8% in low land area (1600 – 2000ms). The difference in prevalence among children residing in the three agro-ecological zones is statistically significant (�2 = 98.9, p< 0.0001). The result showed that distance from water source and presence of window in cooking place, were found to be positively associated with active trachoma. Negatively associated factors were altitude of residential area, water amount consumed for domestic activities and regular use of soap. In conclusion altitude is significantly associated with, and it is one of the indicators of prevalence of active trachoma. Further detailed studies on the role of altitude on transmission of trachoma are required. Mechanisms to improve face washing habit of children and water accessibility should be considered when designing any trachoma control program.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | prevalence; active trachoma; altitude; risk factors; low land; high land; demographic & economic factors; behavioral & environmental factors; Ethiopia |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Vincent Mpoza |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Jun 2018 13:48 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Jun 2018 13:48 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/6172 |
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