Student's Journal of Health Research Africa (Dec 2022)
Factors influencing the prevalence of active trachoma in children aged one to nine years in Buyengo sub county Jinja district Uganda. A cross-sectional Study.
Abstract
Background: Trachoma Continues to be hyper-endemic in many rural area of Uganda, Buyengo sub county is one such area. It is an ancient Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) which up to date is among the leading causes of avoidable blindness in the world. The disease is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is usually found in communities with poor hygiene and disappears spontaneously with improving socio-economic status of a community. Lifestyle and culture are known to influence occurrence of trachoma and other eye diseases. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study using both qualitative and quantitative method was conducted in March 2016. Data was collected through face to face interviews, Observations and examination of children s eye using structured questionnaires as guides. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: Out of the 472 Children 6(1.3%) were positive for active trachoma of these 1.3% had trachomatous follicular (TF) while 0% had trachomatous inflammation (TI) The children found to wash their face without soap were 23.4 times more likely to get active trachoma as compared to those who used soap to wash their face (P<0.05) unclean faces were also 9.1 times more likely to lead children to acquiring active trachoma (P<0.05). None availability of pit latrine led to more chances of getting trachoma infection (10 time) as compared to places where a latrine was available (P<0.05).Many flies in a child’s face predisposed Conclusion: The prevalence of active trachoma is low (1.3%) in Buyengo sub county with the following associated factors Unclean face of the child, Not washing face with soap, not having latrine and availability of flies in the child’s face. Recommendation: There is need for health workers to continue giving health education on prevention of trachoma during village health talks, in outpatient departments, in consultation room and on radio talks shows.
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