THE SOCIAL DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TRACHOMA INFECTION AMONG CHILDREN AGED 1-9 YEARS IN KAPENGURIA SUB COUNTY IN WEST POKOT COUNTY; KENYA

Abstract

Background: Trachoma is the commonest source of transmittable blindness in Kenya. The incidence is highest in populations living in areas that are; hot, dry, and dusty. Besides access to; clean, safe water and proper sanitation, social and demographic are known to influence both disease transmissibility and prevention. Objectives: To establish the social and demographic factors associated with trachoma infection in children. Setting: Kapenguria Sub-County of West Pokot County, Kenya. Design: A community survey of parents/guardians of children aged 1-9 years. Materials and methods The respondents who fulfilled entry criteria were assessed. Proforma questionnaires were used to collect data on age, gender, level of education, and income sources, accessibility to portable water, keeping animals within the homestead, and common symptoms of the eye; redness, irritation, and discharge. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the results presented by the use of prose, graphs, and tables. Results: The study was evaluated for 297 children. The findings revealed age (r = -0.164, p=0.003), gender, level of formal education (r=-0.908, p=0.000), and income sources are contributing factors to trachoma infections. Inaccessibility to portable water sources and keeping animals were other factors. Eye redness was the most common symptom. Conclusions and Recommendations: The survey showed that most of the children were suffering from trachoma. Associated factors to trachoma infection were age, gender, level of education, availability of water, and level of income. The study recommends that affected communities be empowered on trachoma risk factors through capacity building to enhance prevention and control of trachoma.

Key Words: Social Demographic Factors, Trachoma Infection, Water Accessibility, Hygiene Practices