This study evaluates the prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 in the Meda Wolabu District, Southeast Ethiopia, and analyzes factors contributing to its persistence despite the implementation of the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial Cleanliness, and Environmental Improvement). Ethiopia, particularly Oromia Region, is heavily affected by trachoma, a major public health problem. This research identified key risk factors, including lack of health education, poor hygiene practices, and inadequate participation in mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns. The results underscore the need for enhanced intervention measures, particularly focused on environmental improvements and hygiene education, to meet the World Health Organization’s trachoma elimination targets.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background.
1.2. Statement of the problem
1.3. Significance of the study
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1. Prevalence of Active Trachoma
2.2. Factors associated with the prevalence of active trachoma in Relation to SAFE
2.2. Conceptual framework and study
3 OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
3.1. General Objective
3.2. Specific Objectives
4 STUDY METHODOLOGY
4. 1 Study design, Stud yperiod and Study area
4.2. SourcePopulation and Study Population
4.3 Inclusion and exclusion criteria
4.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique
4.5.1. Sample Size Determination
4.5.2. Sampling technique and Sampling procedure
4.5.3. Sampling frame from 4 kebeles
4.6. Data collection tools and procedures
4.7. Data quality control
4.8Operational Definition
4.9. Study Variables
4..9.1 Dependent Variables
4.9. 2 Independent Variables (As related to SAFE strategy)
4.10. Data analysis
4.11. Ethical consideration
5 RESULTS
5.1 Socio demographic and households characteristics of study participants
5.2. Implementation of SAFE strategies in Bale zone, Meda Wolabu district, 2023
5.3. Prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1–9 years in rural kebeles of Meda Wolabu district, 2023
5.4. Factors associated with active trachoma in rural kebeles of Meda Wolabu district
6 DISCUSSION
Factors significantly associated with active trachoma
7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
7.1 Conclusion
7.2. Recommendations
8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
8.1. Limitations of the study
9. References
ANNEX
Annex I: - Introduction
Annex II: - consent form
Annex-III Questionnaires
Objectives and Research Focus
This research aims to evaluate the current prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 years in the Madda Wolabu district and to identify specific determinants and risk factors associated with the disease, particularly in the context of the implementation of the SAFE strategy.
- Prevalence assessment of active trachoma in children aged 1-9 years.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of the current SAFE strategy implementation.
- Identification of socio-demographic and environmental determinants.
- Analysis of hygiene-related behaviors, including face washing and use of soap.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1. Background.
Trachoma the foremost cause of wide-reaching, preventable blindness and the leading infectious cause of blindness (1) and it is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis(2), the infection can spreads from person-to-person (3, 4). According to WHO estimates Ethiopia ranks first in the list of the high Trachoma burden countries (5). Trachoma can be eliminated as a public health problem through the use of a package of interventions known as the Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement (SAFE) strategy (6). Elimination is achieved when the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF) is <5% in children aged 1–9 years, prevalence of TT unknown to the health system is <1% among people aged<15 years and there is written evidence of a system to identify and manage incident cases of TT, in all formerly endemic districts (7).
MaddaWalabu district is known for Trachoma endemic area according to baseline survey conducted by Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP), which reported the prevalence of TF in the district was 38.8% (8). That initiated SAFE strategy implementation in study area. However the current status is not known therefore the purpose of this work is to evaluate the impact of SAFE strategy implementation in study area by assessing current status of prevalence of Trachoma and associated factors.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Provides the background of trachoma as a public health problem in Ethiopia and the specific context of the Madda Wolabu district, establishing the purpose of the study.
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE: Examines existing evidence on trachoma prevalence and risk factors, comparing findings across different regions of Ethiopia.
3 OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECT: Defines the research objectives, specifically aiming to measure local prevalence and associated determinants.
4 STUDY METHODOLOGY: Describes the community-based cross-sectional study design, sampling techniques, and data collection procedures used in the four study kebeles.
5 RESULTS: Presents the primary findings, including demographic characteristics and the specific prevalence metrics observed among children aged 1-9 years.
6 DISCUSSION: Integrates the study results with existing literature to explain observed trends and discuss the implications of the identified risk factors.
7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Concludes that current SAFE strategy implementation is insufficient and provides actionable recommendations for health authorities to improve trachoma control.
8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY: Acknowledges the constraints of the research, including the limited number of kebeles and the potential for social desirability bias in self-reported data.
Keywords
active trachoma, SAFE strategy, prevalence, Madda Wolabu district, children aged 1-9, associated factors, infectious blindness, Chlamydia trachomatis, sanitation, hygiene, environmental factors, Ethiopia, public health, community-based study.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This report focuses on assessing the prevalence of active trachoma in children aged 1-9 years in the rural kebeles of the Madda Wolabu district and determining the factors associated with this infection.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the implementation of the SAFE strategy, socio-demographic characteristics, environmental health factors, personal hygiene behaviors, and the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation.
What is the main objective of the research?
The goal is to determine the current prevalence of active trachoma in the study area and identify its determinants, specifically looking at how they relate to the implementation of the WHO-supported SAFE strategy.
Which scientific methodology was utilized?
The study employed a community-based cross-sectional study design, utilizing face-to-face interviews, physical examinations, and descriptive/inferential statistical analysis.
What does the main body contain?
The main body contains the literature review, the detailed methodology of the data collection in four specific kebeles, as well as the statistical presentation and discussion of prevalence results and associated risk factors.
Which key terms characterize this paper?
The key terms include active trachoma, SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement), prevalence, community-based study, and various associated environmental and socio-demographic factors.
Why is the SAFE strategy considered ineffective in the study area?
The study found a prevalence of 32.12%, which is significantly higher than the WHO elimination threshold of <5%, suggesting that despite intervention, the current coverage and implementation are insufficient to control the spread.
How is the lack of latrines linked to active trachoma?
The findings indicate that living in households without proper latrines increases the risk of active trachoma by approximately 6-fold, likely due to increased exposure to human feces and subsequent attraction of trachoma-transmitting flies.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Tatek Deneke (Autor:in), 2023, Prevalence of Active Trachoma Among Children and Determinants of Trachoma Persistence in Southeast Ethiopia, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1501638
