Low Prevalence of Active Trachoma and Associated Factors among Children aged 1–9 years in Rural Communities of Metema District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-281081/v1

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.

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[1]. Trachoma contributes for significant public health problem in many part of the world including Europe and North America[2].According to World Health Organization (WHO) report estimated in 55 countries, trachoma is endemic [3, 4].Active trachoma is common in area where trachoma is endemic. High prevalence occurs mainly in Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America and Australia[5]. It is also estimated that 84 million people have active trachoma[2].

About 49 percent of the global burden of active trachoma is highly distributed in 5 countries, where Ethiopia was one of them [2, 6]. In Ethiopia one nationwide survey on blindness, low vision, and trachoma reported that the overall national prevalence of active trachoma among children 1 up to 9 years old was 40.14%.The highest prevalence was observed (62.6%) in Amhara region[7].

The transmission of trachoma has been known to occur by direct contact with eye-seeking fly Musca sorbens which lays its eggs on exposed human feces[8]. Infection with trachoma is most commonly found in children and with repeated re-infection it can lead to scarring complications and blindness in late childhood and adult life [912].The WHO simplified grading scheme comprises five signs. For programmers planning, monitoring and evaluation, three of these five signs are particularly important: Trachomatous inflammation follicles (TF), Trachomatous inflammation trichiasis (TT), and corneal opacity (CO). The prevalence of TF in children aged 1–9 years is the key index for determining whether an area needs intervention with the A (Antibiotics to clear infection), F (Facial cleanliness) and E (Environmental improvement) components of SAFE based on WHO recommendation. The prevalence of TT determines the probable need for surgical services. The prevalence of CO is a (rough) measure of the burden of blindness and visual impairment due to trachoma [2, 13].

The risk factors for trachoma vary between place to place depending on economic, behavioral and environmental factors. Unclean faces, or clean faces but with flies, time to fetch water, overcrowding, garbage within the compound, less frequent face washing, practice of open defecation, household cattle ownership, high household fly density and long distance to the nearest water source are among the factors that have been associated with active trachoma[7].

Children less than 9 years are the major reservoir of the bacteria while children under this age cannot take care of themselves and characterized by unclean faces, foods on faces, dust, and nasal discharge that attract eye-seeking flies those carriers bacteria [14]. Furthermore, children under nine years are more likely to touch their eyes more often thus enhance auto-reinjection of Trachoma. The problem of trachoma is common where access to water and sanitation is limited [3]. Lack of such kind of facility can occur in rural than urban community. The majority, 90% community of Metema district lives in rural area. There is a scarcity of information on the prevalence of active trachoma in Metema district. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of active trachoma and associated factors among children aged 1–9 years in rural communities of Metema district, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods And Materials

Study design and period

A community based cross-sectional study design was employed to determine the prevalence of active trachoma and associated factors among children aged 1–9 years in rural communities of Metema district, from April to May 2018.

Study area

This study was conducted in Metema district, West Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Metema Districtis located 170 km from Gondar town, in the border of South Sudan. There are 17 rural and 2 urban kebeles in the district. Moreover, it has 5 Health center and 19 heath post. Total projected populations of the district are 149,700.Of this total population, Children aged 1–9 years are 26373. The major source of income of population is agricultural activities especially production sesame and it is known for investment district in the country.

Source and study population

All children in Metema district whose ages between 1–9 years were the source population. Children who are living in 6 kebeles selected by simple random sampling technique were the study population, while children who were living in households selected by systematic random sampling technique were the study subjects. Children who were unable to undergo physical examination for trachoma evaluation due to serious sickness, and those absent during the data collection period were excluded from the study.

Study variables

Dependent variable

Active trachoma (Yes/No)

Independent variables

Socio-demographic factors

family size, education level, occupation, Income, Age of household, Sex of household ,Religion, Sex of child and Age of child ,number of animal.

Environmental factors

Source of water, water consumption, distance to water source, latrien availablity, latrien utilization, waste disposal practice, animal keeping practice, and cleanliness of compounds.

Behavioral factors: Frequency: Face washing, frequency of washing, Use of soap, eye discharge, Nasal discharge, fly on face, Number of fly’s on children face, facial cleanness.

Sample size determination and sampling procedures

The sample size for the prevalence of active trachoma was determined using single population proportion formula with the assumptions; proportion (P) of IPI 62.6 % (14),95% confidence interval (CI), margin of error of 5%, design effect2 and adding 10% contingency: making a total sample size of792.

For associated factors of prevalence of active trachoma, the sample size was computed using double population proportion formula using EpiInfo ver.7 software by considering the different variables like distance to water source, use of soap, number of fly’s on children face and facial cleanness. But, the sample sizes were low compared to the sample size for the prevalence of active trachoma. Finally, the larger sample size was taken for this study.

A multistage sampling technique was applied to select study subject. At first stage, 6 out of 17 rural kebeles were selected by lottery method. Using probability proportional to size (PPS), the number of households was determined in each kebeles. At the second stage, systematic random sampling technique was applied to select study households. One child per household was included in the study. In case, where there are more than one child with the age of 1–9 years in the same household, lottery method was used to select a child.

Operational definitions

Presence of Active trachoma

is the presence of Trachomatous inflammation, follicles (the presence of at least five or more follicles at least 0.5 mm in Diameter in the central part of the upper tarsal conjunctiva) or Trachomatous inflammation intense (pronounced inflammatory thickening of the tarsal conjunctiva that obscures more than half of the normal deep tarsal vessels)[15].

Clean face

a child who did not have an eye discharge or nasal discharge, fly on face at the time of visit.

Number of flies

Presence of flies on children’s faces for about 3 seconds during the examination time which was graded as none (0 flies), few (1–4 flies), or many (≥ 5 flies).

Data collection tools and procedure

A structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire, and eye examination by using binocular loupe to differentiate trachoma cases using observation checklist were used to collect data. The questionnaire was first prepared in English and translated to Amharic, and then again translated back to English by another person. The questionnaire has information on socio-demographic characteristics, Environmental factors and behavioral factors. A total of 10 health professionals were participated in the study among this 2 supervisors were assigned to the data collection for head of household interviews and validate trachoma grading. Trachoma grading was be examine by 2 trend health professional, according to the WHO simplified grading scheme[16]. The rest 6 health professionals were interview head of the households.

Before the commencement of data collection, three days training was given for all data collectors, trachoma examiners and supervisors. Moreover, before the actual data collection, the examination of eye with questionnaire was pre-tested on 5% (40) of final sample size in an adjacent kebele outside of the study area. During the course of the data collection, data collectors were intensively supervised at each site. The completeness and accuracy of data was checked at the end of each day.

Data management and analysis

The data was entered using Epi Info ver.7 software by the principal investigator and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, the prevalence of trachoma, and other characteristics of the respondents. The bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test was used to check model fitness (P > = 0.05). Variables having P-value ≤ 0.2 in the bivariable analysis were further entered into the multivariable analysis to control the effects of confounders. In the multivariable analysis, P-value < 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance.

Ethical considerations

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Science, Institute of public health.
Support letter and permission letter were obtained from Metema District Health Office.
The study participants were provided full information regarding the purpose and nature of the research then written consent was obtained from each parent or caregiver of participants.
Participation in the study was on a voluntary basis, and participants were informed about their right not to participate in the study or withdraw at any time. Moreover, the confidentiality of the information was assured by using an anonymous questionnaire. All identified cases of active trachoma were provided with the standard treatment free of charge and complicated cases were referred to the nearest health center for better treatment.

Results

Socio-demographic characteristics

A total of 752 children aged 1–9 years participated in the study, giving response rate of 94.9 %. The mean ages of the sampled children were 1.9 [SD ± 0.8] years. Majority of the study subjects 72.6 % (546), live in households headed by male and 37.2% (380) of heads of households were farmers by occupation. More than half, 55.6% (418) of the head of households were illiterate, 60.6% (456) had a family size of more than five, and 57.1% (353) of the children were females. The age distribution showed that 38.0% (286) were within the age group between 1 and 3 years (Table 1).

Table 1

Socio demographic characteristics of the study participants in Metema District, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018 (n = 752).

Variable

Frequency (N)

Percentage (%)

Head of household

   

Male

546

72.6

Female

206

27.4

Age of head of household

   

18–29

142

19.0

30–44

518

68.9

45–59

91

12.1

Occupation

   

Farmer

380

37.2

Daily laborer

230

30.6

Merchant

242

32.2

Level of Education

   

Illiterate

418

55.6

Primary and above

334

44.4

Average monthly income

   

less than 600

132

17.6

601–1200

230

30.6

1201–2000

207

27.5

above 2000

183

24.3

Religion

   

Orthodox

394

52.4

Muslim

358

47.6

Family size

   

≤ 5

296

39.4

> 5

456

60.6

Sex of child

   

Male

352

46.8

Female

400

53.2

Age of children’s

   

1–3

286

38.0

4–6

250

33.2

7–9

216

28.7

Environmental characteristics of the households

Majority of the households, 73.5% (553) obtain their water from protected source and 66.4% (499) took less than 30 minutes to collect water. About 40.4% (304) of the families’ average water consumption was 60–80 liters per head. The majority of the households, 90.4% (680) had latrine. From these 62.1% (467) of households, practice proper utilization of latrine. More than half of the households, 57.6% (433) practice proper disposal of garbage and compound cleanses (Table 2).

Table 2

Environmental characteristics of selected households in Metema District, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018 (n = 752).

Variable

Number (N)

Percent (%)

Source of Water

   

Protected source

553

73.5

Unprotected source

199

26.5

Distance to collect water (round trip)

   

<=30 minutes

499

66.4

> 30 minutes

253

33.6

Average water consumption

   

40–60 liters per head

199

26.5

60–80 liters per head

304

40.4

above 80 l per head

249

33.1

Accesses of latrine

   

No

72

9.6

Yes

680

90.4

Latrine utilization

   

Improper utilization

285

37.9

Proper utilization

467

62.1

Disposal of garbage

   

Improper disposal

319

42.4

Proper disposal

433

57.6

Compound cleanses

   

No

268

35.6

Yes

484

64.6

Animal keeping practice separately at home

   

Kept only at night

18

2.4

Kept both night and day

734

97.6

Behavioral characteristics

Majority of children’s, 79.3% (596) wash their face once per day and 83.5% (628) of them use soap for washing. Only 5.5% (41) and 8.9% (67) of the children had eye discharge and nasal discharge, respectively. The majority of the children, 83.5 % (N = 628) had clean face (Table 3).

Table 3

Face washing habit and Facial cleanliness characteristics of children’s in Metema District, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018 (n = 752).

Variable

Frequency(N)

Percent (%)

Frequency of washing

   

One per day

596

79.3

Twice per day

156

20.7

Use of soap

   

No

124

16.5

Yes

628

83.5

Eye discharge

   

No

711

94.5

Yes

41

5.5

Nasal discharge

   

No

685

91.1

Yes

67

8.9

Fly on child face

   

No

643

85.5

Yes

109

14.5

Number of fly

   

0

643

85.5

1–4

109

14.5

Facial cleanness

   

Clean

628

83.5

Unclean

124

16.5

Prevalence of active trachoma

The overall prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1–9 years in rural communities of Metema district was 11.8% (95 % CI, 9.5–14.1). Amongst the examined children, the prevalence of TF and TI was 9.4 and 2.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence difference among sex and age group was 5.8 % and 6% for male and female and 4.6%, 3.3 % and 3.9% for children 1–3, 4–6 and 7–9 age groups, respectively.

Factors associated with active trachoma

The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 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 = 3.3; 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 associated with active trachoma (Table 4).

Table 4: Bivariate and multivariate analysis of factors associated with active trachoma among children’s in Metema District, Northwest Ethiopia 2018 (n = 752).

Variable

Active Trachoma

Yes (%) No (%)

COR (95% CI)

AOR (95% CI)

Family size

     

> 5

71

385

2.8(1.7–4.9)

1.74 (0.8-4.0)

≤ 5

18

278

1.00

1.00

Education status

       

Illiterates

73

345

4.2(2.4–7.4)

2.3 (1.0-5.4)

Primary & above

16

318

1.00

1.00

Source of water

       

unprotected source

65

134

10.7(6.5–17.7)

4.7 (2.5–8.9)***

Protected source

24

529

1.00

1.00

Distance to water source

       

> 30 minutes

63

190

6.0(3.7–9.8)

1.8 (0.9–3.3)

≤ 30 minutes

26

473

1.00

1.00

Water consumption

       

40-60liter per HH

60–80 liter per HH

52

23

147

281

5.9 (3.2–11.1)

1.4 (0.7–2.7)

2.8(1.3-6.0)**

0.8(0.4–1.9

> 80 liter per HH

14

235

1.00

1.00

Disposal of garbage

   

.

 

Improper

67

252

5.0 (3.0-8.2)

1.5(0.8–2.9)

Proper

22

411

1.00

1.00

Latrine utilization

       

Improper

76

209

12.7 (6.9–23.4)

3.2 (1.5–6.7)***

Proper

13

454

1.00

1.00

Frequency of washing

       

one per day

87

509

13.2 (3.2–54.1)

5.3(1.1–24.6)*

≥ twice per day

2

154

1.00

1.00

COR = crude odds ratio, AOR = adjusted odds ratio
***Significant at p-value ≤ 0.001, ** Significant at p-value ≤ 0.01, * Significant at p-value ≤ 0.05

Discussion

The overall prevalence of active trachoma was 11.8% (95 % CI, 9.5–14.1). The factors associated with active trachoma were unprotected source of water; water consumption, improper latrine utilization, and frequency of washing.

The current prevalence of active trachoma was lower than other studies done in the region, Gonjokolela district of west Gojjam [17], Gazegibela district of Wagehemera zone [18], in Anckober [19] and Baso Liben district of east Gojjam [20]. Moreover, the overall prevalence of active trachoma was lower than studies done outside of the region in Zala district, Gamo Gofa zone [21] and Kersa district of Oromia zone [22] and in Ethiopia [23].

This study finding was also lower in prevalence than other studies done in Africa countries, Ethiopia, Guina, Uganda, Chad, Tanzania, Nigeria and Sudan [6]. This prevalence was also lower than the WHO threshold level used to determine trachoma as a sever public health problem according to WHO the threshold prevalence for TF/TI among children age 1–10 years old is 20% [8]. Several factors might have contributed to the observed reduction of the prevalence of active trachoma in the study district. These might be due to variations on annual continuous trachoma specific interventions such Azithromax distribution and health education, implementation of Health Extension Packages especially for increment of latrine coverage and open defecation free kebeles.

The WHO recommends a reduction of TF cases to less than 5% among children aged 1–9 to eliminate blinding trachoma. However, the number of active trachoma cases in the study districts was11.8%. This finding calls for an urgent need for mass distribution campaigns of antibiotics to reduce the transmission of trachoma in this district.

The study showed that those households who obtained water from unprotected source was 4.7 times more likely to develop active trachoma than those obtained water from protected source. This result was supported by a similar study done in Gazegibela district of Wagehemra Zone [18] and in Ankober, Ethiopia [19].

Water consumption per household was significantly associated with active trachoma. Those households which consume water from 40–60 liter per household were 2.8 times more likely to develop active trachoma than those households that consume water more. This finding was similar with a study finding in Baso Liben District of East Gojjam, Ethiopia [20] and Areka Town, South Ethiopia [24].

The study also showed that improper latrine utilization was 3.2 times more likely to develop active trachoma than those used latrine properly. This is in agreement with studies done in Gonji Kolella district [17], North and South Wollo Zones, Ethiopia [25] Ancober, Ethiopia [19] and the study done by WHO [26]. This could be due to the presence of open-field feces as a breeding media for the trachoma fly vector Musca sorbens that leads to a higher chance of transmission.

This finding of study also showed that active trachoma was significantly associated with face washing habit. Children who wash their face once per day were 5.3 times more likely to be developing active trachoma as compared to children who wash their face greater than or equal two times per day. This finding was similar with studies done in Zala district, Southern Ethiopia [21], Wereilu district, Ethiopia [26] and Uganda [8]. Moreover, this finding was consistent with the systematic review and meta-analysis done in Ethiopia [27]. This is due to the fact that children with unclean faces could be more likely to spread ocular secretions infected with C. trachomatis.

Active trachoma was one of the public health problems in the western world-high income countries. Evidences indicate that these countries eliminate trachoma by improving the living condition and basic sanitation and simply eliminated by hygienic measures in the study area [28].

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of active trachoma in Metema district was lower than other studies conducted in the region and WHO threshold prevalence of 20% to declare trachoma as a severe public health problem. This might herald that trachoma transmission is decreasing in Metema district. However, it is away from the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in a community. Unprotected source of water, lower household water consumption, improper latrine utilization, and frequency of face washing once per day were the factors associated with active trachoma. So, all community members and stakeholders in the study district should further strengthen to work on trachoma prevention by implementing the WHO SAFE strategy- surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement.

Declarations

Ethical considerations

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Science, Institute of public health. Support letter and permission letter were obtained from Metema District Health Office. The study participants were provided full information regarding the purpose and nature of the research then written consent was obtained from each parent or caregiver of participants. Participation in the study was on a voluntary basis, and participants were informed about their right not to participate in the study or withdraw at any time. Moreover, the confidentiality of the information was assured by using an anonymous questionnaire. All identified cases of active trachoma were provided with the standard treatment free of charge and complicated cases were referred to the nearest health center for better treatment.

Consent for publication

This manuscript does not contain any individual person’s data

Availability of data and material

Data will be made available upon requesting the primary author.

Competing Interest

The authors declare that there is no both financial and non-financial competing interest. 

Funding

The authors of this study did not receive funds from any funding organization. However, University of Gondar had covered questionnaire duplication and the per diem for data collector.

Authors' contributions

KA: participated in the conception and design of the study, data collection and analysis, interpretation of the findings. AG: Participated in the design of the study, drafting the manuscript and write up, analysis and interpretations of the findings. TG: Participated in the design of the study, review of the manuscript, analysis and interpretations of the findings.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank University of Gondar for its financial support. We are also thankful for study participants, data collectors and supervisors for their devotion and full participation.

Authors' information

1Amhara Region West Gondar Health Department, Northwest Ethiopia, Gondar, Ethiopia.

2Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

3Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia

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