The prevalence and environmental risk factors for moderate and severe trachoma in southern Ethiopia

Inflammatory eye disease is a leading cause of reported morbidity throughout rural Ethiopia. The purpose of this investigation was to document the prevalence of trachoma at all stages and to identify environmental risk factors for moderate to severe cases among rural inhabitants of Sidamo Region in southern Ethiopia. An ophthalmic examination followed by a blind household interview were completed on 1222 randomly selected subjects. Those with moderate or severe trachoma were compared with normal subjects for rates of exposure to potential environmental risk factors. The results of the eye examinations are as follows; normal 59.5%, trivial 8.4%, mild 10.3%, moderate 8.5%, severe 8.0%, cicatricial 3.0%, and other eye diseases without trachoma 2.3%. Highest prevalence rates for moderate to severe trachoma were found in those under 10 and over 45 years of age. Increased adjusted odds ratios were found for exposure to garbage disposal near home, crowded sleeping arrangements, animals inside the home, cooking in a separate room, and living at lower altitudes. The identification of several modifiable environmental risk factors for trachoma will be of use in the further development of preventive programmes.