Prevalence of trachoma and associated factors in the rural area of the department of Vaupés, Colombia

Prevalence of active trachoma among 1-9 years of age children in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to determine the pooled prevalence of active trachoma among 1-9 years old children in Ethiopia.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis were employed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews.

DATA SOURCES

Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, African Journal of Online and Google scholar databases were systematically explored to find studies published in English until July 2023.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The following criteria apply: (1) condition (Co): studies examined the prevalence of trachoma among children (1-9) years old; (2) context (Co): studies conducted in Ethiopia; (3) population (Pop): studies that were done among children (1-9) years old; (4) study type: observational studies and (5) language: studies published in English.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

The data were extracted using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. DerSimonian-Laird random effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of active trachoma among 1-9 years old children. Cochrane Q-tests and I2 statistics were used across studies to assess heterogeneity. To identify possible publication bias, Egger's test was performed.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

Prevalence of active trachoma among children aged (1-9 years old)".

RESULTS

Overall, a total of 42 articles with 235 005 study participants were included in the final analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of active trachoma using random effect model was 24% (95% CI 20% to 27%). The subgroup analysis by region revealed that the highest prevalence of trachoma was 36% (95% CI 13% to 58%) in the Tigray region, and publication year revealed the prevalence of trachoma was decreasing from 32% to 19% after 2015.

CONCLUSION

In this review, the pooled prevalence of active trachoma was found to be high in Ethiopia compared with WHO threshold level. This underscores the need for increased focus on high-risk age groups to decrease trachoma and to achieve the elimination of trachoma from the country by 2030.

Exploring multi-level risk factors and post-war burdens of trachomatous trichiasis among displaced population in Raya Kobo districts, implication for urgent action

AIM

To estimate post-war burdens of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and multi-level risk factors among displaced population in Raya Kobo districts, implication for urgent action.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 603 participants from randomly selected 14 displaced slums in the Raya Kobo district. The data was collected from February 16th to March 30th, 2023. Study participants were selected using the multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire and ophthalmic loupe with ×2.5 magnificence were used to collect from participants. Multi-level binary logistic regression was used to determine associated factors with TT infection. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were claimed for the strength of association at P<0.05.

RESULTS

We recruited 602 (99.9%) participants for the final analysis. From the total, 126 (20.9%) and 98 (16.3%, 95%CI: 13.5%-19.4%) participants were diagnosed with active trachoma & TT infection, respectively. Being age ≥45y (AOR=7.9, 95%CI: 2.4-25.3), having multiple eye infections (AOR=2.73, 95%CI: 1.47-5.29), poor wealth index (AOR=9.2; 95%CI: 2.7-23.7) and twice face washing per day (AOR=0.082, 95%CI: 0.03-0.21) has identified as individual as factors for TT infection. Whereas, distance between clean water source ≥10 km (AOR=6.5, 95%CI: 3.9-31.3), and latrine availability (AOR=0.35, 95%CI: 0.21-0.58) were the two community-level factors associated with TT infections.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of TT infection post-war throughout the study districts indicates a need for urgent clinical intervention in addition to rapid scaling up surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement (SAFE) strategies, strategy for high-risk population. Age≥45y, distance from the clean water source, poor wealth indexes, and eye infection are identified to be risk factors for TT infection. Furthermore, community-level preventative factors for TT infection are found as latrine availability and face washing practice.

Prevalence of active trachoma infection and associated factors post-war resettled population in raya kobo districts, North East Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study in 2022

Background

Active trachoma infection poses a serious threat to public health, particularly for those who live in an unprivileged area and has practiced open-field defecation. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of active trachoma infection and associated factors in the post-war resettled population in Raya Kobo district, North East Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study in 2022.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 602 participants randomly selected in 14 slum villages in Raya Kobo from February 16th to March 30th, 2023. After the data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and entered into Epi-data version 3.2. The study participants were chosen using a two-stage sampling process. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors for active trachoma infection. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were claimed for the strength of association at p < 0.05.

Results

Overall, 602 (99.9%) study participants were included in the final analysis. At the end of the study period, 126 (20.9) participants developed active trachoma infection. On multivariable analysis, were aged ≥45 years (AOR = 7.9, 95% CI = 2.4-25.3), history of eye infection (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI = 2.4-10.4, p = 0.001), were poor wealth index (AOR = 9.2, 95% CI = 2.7-23.7), having separated kitchen (AOR = 4.05, 95% CI = 1.86-8.86), living with animals (AOR = 5.92, 95% CI = 2.31-14.7) and having got administration of mass-drug (AOR = 8.9, 95% CI = 2.36-33.6) were significant risk factors for active trachoma infection. Whereas, face washing practice regularly (AOR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.127-0.43), and toilet availability (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.20-0.97) were preventive factors for active trachoma infection.

Conclusion

A significant prevalence of active trachoma infection was reported in the area as compared with previous findings and urgent clinical intervention, and the WHO critical SAFE strategies (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement) implementation is highly needed in the area. In addition, healthcare providers should focus on information dissemination on proper latrine utilization, and washing the face regularly to prevent active trachoma infection is highly recommended.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Hygiene and the Prevention of Trachoma in the Indigenous Population of the Colombian Amazon Vaupés Department

The Colombian program to end trachoma implements the component F of the SAFE strategy in the Vaupés department of the Amazon rainforest. Cultural, linguistic, and geographical barriers and the coexistence of an ancestral medical system demand the technical and sociocultural adaptation of this component. A cross-sectional survey combined with focus-group discussions to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the indigenous population related to trachoma was conducted in 2015. Of the 357 heads of households that participated, 45.1% associated trachoma with a lack of hygiene, and 94.7% associated the concept of hygiene with taking one or more body baths per day, using commercial or handcrafted soap. In total, 93% reported cleaning their children's faces and eyes more often when they have conjunctivitis, but 66.1% also did this with clothes or towels in use, and 52.7% of people shared towels; in total, 32.8% indicated that they would use ancestral medicine to prevent and treat trachoma. The SAFE strategy in Vaupés requires an intercultural approach to facilitate stakeholder support and participation to promote general and facial hygiene, washing clothes with soap, and not sharing towels and clothes to dry and clean children's faces for effective and sustainable elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. This qualitative assessment facilitated an intercultural approach locally and in other Amazonian locations.

Indigenous Eye Health in the Americas: The Burden of Vision Impairment and Ocular Diseases

Review of the burden of vision impairment and blindness and ocular disease occurrence in Indigenous Peoples of the Americas. We systematically reviewed findings of the frequency of vision impairment and blindness and/or frequency of ocular findings in Indigenous groups. The database search yielded 2829 citations, of which 2747 were excluded. We screened the full texts of 82 records for relevance and excluded 16. The remaining 66 articles were examined thoroughly, and 25 presented sufficient data to be included. Another 7 articles derived from references were included, summing a total of 32 studies selected. When considering adults over 40 years old, the highest frequencies of vision impairment and blindness in Indigenous Peoples varied from 11.1% in high-income North America to 28.5% in tropical Latin America, whose rates are considerably higher than those in the general population. Most of the ocular diseases reported were preventable and/or treatable, so blindness prevention programs should focus on accessibility to eye examinations, cataract surgeries, control of infectious diseases, and spectacles distribution. Finally, we recommend actions in six areas of attention towards improving the eye health in Indigenous Peoples: access and integration of eye services with primary care; telemedicine; customized propaedeutics; education on eye health; and quality of data.

Active Trachoma Prevalence and Related Variables among Children in a Pastoralist Community in Southern Ethiopia in 2021: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

An estimated 30% of trachoma burden is borne by Ethiopia. Data on the prevalence of active trachoma and related factors in a pastoralist population are currently lacking. Additionally, no research has been conducted in the Oromia, Guji Zone of the Liben District. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 538 children 1-9 years old in the pastoralist community of the Liben District from March 1 to April 30, 2021. A multistage systematic sampling method was applied to choose the sample. A structured questionnaire and WHO's trachoma grading scheme were used to identify active trachoma. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to determine associated factors. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to decide the level of significance: 157 (29.2%) (95% CI: 24.9, 33.1) of children had clinical signs of active trachoma, 103 (66%) had trachomatous follicles, 41 (26%) had trachomatous intense, and 13 (8%) had both. There was an independent relationship between active trachoma and open defecation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.75; 95% CI: 1.24, 6.09), defecating outside close to a house (AOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.07, 6.08), not having a latrine (AOR: 3.70; 95% CI: 1.60, 8.60), children who did not wash their faces with soap (AOR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.10, 3.07), and being in a widowed household (AOR: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.57, 6.63). The study's findings revealed that about one-third of the children had clinical signs of trachoma. Research indicates that trachoma is a major concern for children in rural communities. Therefore, attention to trachoma control with antibiotics, facial hygiene, and environmental sanitation is strongly encouraged.

Associated factors of the co-occurrence of trachoma and soil-transmitted helminthiases in children 1 to 9 years old in rural communities of the Amazon basin in Loreto Department, Peru: Results from a population-based survey

BACKGROUND

There is evidence of the occurrence of trachoma in Peru, and studies have shown that soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) are affecting rural communities in the Amazon basin in Loreto Department. This study was done to estimate trachoma prevalence, STH prevalence, and the associated factors for both diseases in children aged 1-9 years in rural communities of Peru.

METHODOLOGY

A population-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in rural communities of Loreto. A standardized survey questionnaire with individual and household risk factors related to both diseases was used. Ocular examination was done for all participants aged one year and above, and eye swab samples were collected from children with follicular trachoma (TF). Anthropometric measurements, stool samples for STH, and blood samples for hemoglobin measurement were taken from children.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

TF prevalence was 7.74% (95% CI 5.08-11.63%), STH prevalence was 49.49% (95% CI 25.00-52.43%), and prevalence of co-occurrence of both diseases was 5.06% (95% CI 2.80-8.98%) in children aged 1-9 years. Being at age 3-8 years old (AOR = 6.76; 95% CI 1.346-33.947), have an unclean face (AOR = 24.64; 95% CI 6.787-89.444), and having been dewormed in the last six months (AOR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.106-5.514), were risk factors of TF. Being a female (AOR = 0.22; 95% CI 0.103-0.457) was associated with decreased odds of TF. Having been dewormed in the last six months (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI 0.139-0.628) was a preventative factor for STH. Risk factors for children with both diseases mirrored the findings for risk factors for individual diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Neglected tropical diseases and associated risk factors overlap in communities living in vulnerable conditions in the Amazon basin of Peru. These findings support the need to implement integrated interventions, including mass drug administration, water, sanitation, and hygiene for both diseases in the study area.

Trachoma Rapid Assessments in Venezuela, an Example of the Integration of Data Gathering with Service Delivery in Hard-to-reach Populations

A) PURPOSE

The objective of the study was to assess the presence of trachoma in high priority districts in the Amazon state of Venezuela (the Bolivarian Republic of), and use trachoma data gathering platform to offer integrated primary health care services to underserved hard-to-reach populations living in the border with Colombia.

B) METHODS

Trachoma Rapid Assessments (TRA) were conducted in indigenous communities of three municipalities of the Amazonas State of Venezuela from June 2018 to April 2019 using the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Integrated health services were delivered based on the identified needs of the population of the assessed communities.

C) RESULTS

1,185 children aged 1-9 years were examined for trachoma in the three municipalities, of which 6.92% had active trachoma; 994 people 15 years and above were examined for trachomatous trichiasis (TT) finding two cases (0.2%). 1,635 people were examined for other health-related problems and the most common diagnoses were intestinal parasites (54.74%), eye diseases (16.81%), cavities (7.34%), scabies (5.56%), headache (4.40%), and malaria (2.81%); additionally, 2,233 vaccine doses were provided to children and adults to complete vaccination series.

D) CONCLUSION

The results of the TRA in the Amazon state of Venezuela suggest that trachoma could be a public health problem and standardized population-based surveys to establish the prevalence and determine the interventions to implement are needed.

Prevalence and associated factors of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 years old in mass drug administration graduated and non-graduated districts in Northwest Amhara region, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Mass drug administration has implemented to reduce trachoma since 2001, however, trachoma is still the major public health problem in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. However, credible evidence on the prevalence of trachoma and its associated factors after the implementation of mass drug administration is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and associated factors of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 years old in mass drug administration graduated and non-graduated districts in the Northwest Amhara Region.

METHODS

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November, 2019. A stratified multistage random sampling was used to select 690 households having children aged 1-9 years. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to identify factors associated with active trachoma. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were computed to assess the degree of association between the independent variables and active trachoma.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of active trachoma was 8.3% (95% CI: 6.2% -10.5%) and showed a significant variation between graduated [3.5% (95% CI: 1.8% -5.6%)] and non-graduated [13% (95% CI: 9.7%-16.8%)] districts. Living in graduated districts (AOR = 7.39, 95% CI: 3.19, 17.09), fly presence in the house (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.43, 6.89), presence of more than two children in the family (AOR = 3.78, 95%CI: 1.79, 7.98), did not wash face daily (AOR = 6.31, 95% CI: 1.81, 21.98), did not use soap during face washing (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.37, 8.15), presence of sleep in eyes (AOR = 3.16, 95% CI: 1.42, 7.02) and presence of dirt on child face (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.50) increased the odds of having active trachoma.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of active trachoma was high in the study area and showed a significant variation between graduated and non-graduated districts with mass drug administration. Living in non-graduated districts, fly presence in the house, more than two children in a household, did not wash the face daily, did not use soap during face washing, presence of sleep in eyes, and dirt on the child's face were the significant predictors of active trachoma. Therefore, the identified modifiable factors are the area of intervention to reduce the burden of active trachoma.