PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR TRACHOMA AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SANA’A CITY, YEMEN

Abstract

Background:  Trachoma is a contagious infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. The disease causes roughness of the inner surface of the eyelids which in turn leads to eye pain, collapse of the outer surface and scratching of the cornea, and ultimately blindness.

Objectives: This study was designed to determine Trachoma prevalence and associated risk factors among primary school children in Sana’a city, Yemen.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 991 schoolchildren aged 6-12 years that were chosen from sixteen primary public schools and ten private ones, that are located in five districts in Sana’a city and represent nearly 10% of total number of schools in Sana’a. Child's eye examination was done by trained 12 students of Medicine, according to WHO grading system for trachoma. Data on risk factors and health characteristics of a child were collected using a structured questionnaire and statistical analysis was performed using Epi-Inf version 6.

Results:  The gender distribution of study contributors was male 41.7 % and female was 58.3%. The results of independent associated odds ratio analysis discovered that risk factors of contracting Trachoma from the upper to the lower are: Absent of latrine in the house of child  (OR=10.6,  p<0.001), orphan of mother  (OR=4.7,  p<0.001), absent of water in the house of child (OR=3.9, p<0.001), flies in the face (OR=1.9, p=0.005) , No education of the mother (OR=1.7,  p=0.01), No education of the father (OR=1.6, p=0.04), No  face washing with  soap per day (OR=3.1, p=0.001), keeping animals in living house (OR=1.6, p=0.03), and house overcrowding (OR=2.5, p=0.002).

Conclusion: Area was identifiedidentify where, at the time of the survey among 10-12 children, as defined by WHO trachoma was a public health problem. As for the loss of the child to his parents, especially the loss of the mother, it is a disaster for the child, so the treatment of causes such as war and poverty for this problem should be a priority in Yemen

                  

Peer Review History:

Received: 4 June 2021; Revised: 7 July; Accepted: 13 August; Available online: 15 September 2021

Academic Editor:  Dr. Sally A. El-Zahaby, Pharos University in Alexandria, Egypt, sally.elzahaby@yahoo.com

Reviewers:

Dr. Rawaa Souhil Al-Kayali, Aleppo University, Syria, rawah67@hotmail.com

Dr. Bilge Ahsen KARA_, Ankara Gazi Mustafa Kemal Hospital, Turkey, ahsndkyc@gmail.com

Dr. Wadhah Hassan Ali Edrees, Hajja University, Yemen, edress2020@gmail.com