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The impact of water supply on trachoma prevalence

Yilkal Alemu1, Abebe Bejiga

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Medical Journal
|August 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Improved water supply did not significantly reduce active trachoma (a bacterial eye infection) prevalence in children. Health education promoting hygiene is crucial for behavioral change and trachoma control.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Trachoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness globally.
  • Access to clean water is considered a key factor in trachoma prevention.
  • A baseline study in Dalocha District in 1998 established trachoma prevalence before improved water supply.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of improved water supply on the prevalence of active trachoma.
  • To re-evaluate trachoma rates in children aged 1-10 years in Dalocha District.
  • To compare current trachoma prevalence with baseline data from 1998.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dalocha District between March and May 2002.
  • Cluster sampling identified villages and households within five previously studied peasant associations.
  • Active trachoma (trachomatous follicles [TF] and trachomatous intense inflammation [TI]) was examined in 644 children aged 1-10 years.

Main Results:

  • A total of 644 children were examined, with 358 (55.6%) exhibiting active trachoma.
  • Prevalence included 235 (36.5%) with TF and 123 (19.1%) with TI.
  • The overall prevalence of active trachoma (55.6%) was comparable to the 1998 baseline (51.1%), with a statistically non-significant difference (p=0.074).

Conclusions:

  • Improvement in water supply alone did not lead to a significant reduction in active trachoma prevalence.
  • Health education emphasizing personal and environmental hygiene is essential for behavioral change and effective trachoma control.
  • Water supply improvements may be ineffective against trachoma without concurrent hygiene education initiatives.

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