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.