Abstract:
ntroduction: Globally, over 140 million people live in districts where the active trachoma
prevalence in children aged 1-9 years is more than 5%. The aim of this study was to assess the
prevalence and factors associated with active trachoma among children aged 1-9 years in
Guduru district, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 619 children aged 1-9
years. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study subjects. The selected
children were examined for active trachoma using 2.5× binocular loupes. Children’s mothers
were interviewed for associated factors with active trachoma using structured questionnaire. The
Kobo Toolbox data collection tool was used to collect data, and the collected data was analyzed
using SPSS. Statistically significant factors were determined using a Binary logistic regression
model, which showed a p-value of less than 0.05 at 95% confidence interval.
Results: A total of 619 children aged 1-9 years were included in this study with a response rate
of 100%. The prevalence of active trachoma in Guduru district was 36.50%. Merchant
household head (AOR; 0.30; 95% CI; 0.14, 0.68), government employees (AOR; 0.34; 95% CI;
0.13, 0.88), households with more than five family size (AOR; 2.07; 95% CI; 1.26, 3.41),
children who had discharge on their face (AOR; 9.11; 95% CI; 5.50, 15.15) , children who didn’t
use soap during face washing (AOR; 3.69; 95% CI; 2.20, 6.20), house hold whose latrine were
not functional (AOR; 1.88; 95%CI; 1.04, 3.40), and house hold who had no liquid waste
disposal pit (AOR; 19.60; 95% CI; 9.05, 42.34) were found to be statistically significant
associated factors with the prevalence of active trachoma.
Conclusion: About 40% of children aged 1-9 years in Guduru district were exposed to active
trachoma. Family size, occupational status of household head, children’s face cleanliness, latrine
functionality, and availability of liquid waste disposal pit were associated factors with active
trachoma. There is a need for optimal interventions to prevent trachoma infection among
children aged 1-9 years in this district.
