PREVALENCE OF ACTIVE TRACHOMA AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN AGED 1_9 YEARS IN HADERO TUNTO WOREDA, KEMBATA ZONE, CENTERAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Trachoma is the chief cause of preventable blindness and has been earmarked for elimination as a public health problem by 2030. SAFE is an innovative community-based trachoma control intervention. Trachoma is hyperendemic to many rural parts of Ethiopia, including the study area. No study was conducted in Hadero Tunto woreda regarding trachoma, determinant factors were not revealed. Besides, there were no reports on the overall prevalence of active trachoma. Objective: the current study was aimed to determine prevalence and associated risk factors of active trachoma among children aged 1_9 years in Hadero Tunto woreda. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Hadero Tunto woreda from February 16_April 11,2025. A sample of 375 participants was selected by systematic sampling technique. Data collected by interviewing the caregivers via questionnaire, observing the child and environment, and conducting a clinical examination of their eyes. Data were entered in EPi Data version 4.6 and exposed to SPSS version 25 software for analysis. The association was presented as an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% CI, and variables with a P value less than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Result: The overall prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1_9 years was 22.13%(83 out of 375). Travelling time to fetch water, family size, waste disposal method, availability of latrine, infrequent face washing and poor knowledge of trachoma were significantly associated with active trachoma prevalence. Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of active trachoma was much higher than the WHO threshold prevalence. Therefore, paying special attention to these high-risk groups could reduce the prevalence of a neglected hyper endemic disease, active trachoma.