Determination Of Factors Predisposing Children Aged 1-9 Years To Trachoma In Kirindon Division, Trans Mara Sub-County.

ABSTRACT

Trachoma is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which produces a characteristic scarring of the inner surface of the eyelids. It affects all age groups but is more prevalent among young children, aged less than 9 years, who are the reservoirs of the disease. Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world, accounting for more than 1.4% of the world‟s blindness. It‟s transmitted through direct contact of infected ocular material from one person to another. In the African region, more than a half of the countries are estimated to be, or have been, endemic. In Kenya, trachoma causes 16% of all blindness and it is endemic in Trans-Mara sub-county, which has a prevalence rate of 11%. Kirindon division, located in Trans-Mara sub-county was selected as the study site since it is a region located in a trachoma prevalent belt. The study sought to address the socio-demographic and environmental factors that predispose children aged 1-9 years to trachoma infection, in Kirindon division, Trans-Mara sub-county. The study specific objectives were: to determine the prevalence of trachoma infection at Kirindon division; to determine the socio-demographic, household and environmental factors that predispose the children of Kirindon division to trachoma; and to identify the independent determinants predisposing the children of Kirindon division to trachoma. The study employed a community based cross-sectional descriptive study design. Cluster sampling and simple random sampling were done at household and individual levels respectively. The sample size of 158 households was determined using the Fisher‟s method. The data of children and their guardians were collected over a four-week period using structured questionnaires. Frequencies and percentages presented the socio-demographic, household and environmental characteristics, and the prevalence of trachoma infection. Bivariate regression analysis was used to determine socio-demographic, household and environmental factors associated with trachoma infection. Variables that had a p