Altitude-a risk factor for active trachoma in southern Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
Trachoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness world wide. It is common in areas of the world that are socio-economically deprived of basic needs in housing, health, water and sanitation.


METHODS
A cross sectional study on the prevalence and risk factors for trachoma infection in children 1-10 years of age in three different altitude zones of Kembata zone, southern Ethiopia was done from May - July 2001. Using stratified cluster sampling, households and children 1-10 years of age were selected.


RESULTS
A total of 1169 children were examined. The male to female ratio was 1 : 1.2. Trachoma follicles (TF) were found in 17.3%, 33.5%, and 42.3% in high, medium and low altitude zones respectively. Like wise Trachoma intense inflammation (TI) was found in 4.2%, 23.5% and 36.5%. Females, living at lower altitude and farther distance from a water source were risk factors for trachoma infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Trachoma is a public health problem in the medium and low altitude regions of the area. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed low altitude as a consistent and highly significant risk factor for trachoma infection. Thus, SAFE strategy should be implemented. Altitude should be used as a priority-setting tool in selecting endemic areas for trachoma intervention programs.
Haileselassie
Tesfay
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Bayu
Samson
S
D000531:Altitude; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014141:Trachoma / Q000453:epidemiology*