Background Trachoma is a leading infectious cause of blindness and of significant public health concern targeted for elimination. This study aimed to systematically summarize the magnitude of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 in Ethiopia from 2019-2024
Methods Database searches were conducted on Google Scholar, SCOPUS, PubMed, EMBASE, and AJOL for studies published between January 2019 to 31-March-2024 and with restriction to articles published only in English. Data extraction was done using a pre-prepared Excel sheet. STATA version 17 was used to perform the analysis. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2 statistics and Cochrane Q. Qualitative synthesis was done to summarize the studies and random effect model was used to estimate the Pooled magnitude of active trachoma with a corresponding 95% confidence interval.
Result A total of 17 studies with 19793 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled magnitude of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 years was found to be 18.4% (95% CI: 13.88, 22.91). We found a statistically significant heterogeneity between studies. Among the regions, Southwest region was found to have the highest magnitude (44.1%) (95%CI: 41.8%, 46.4%) and Dire Dawa was found to have the lowest (4.3%) (95%CI: 2.9%, 5.7%).
Conclusion The magnitude of active trachoma is higher than the WHO target for elimination. There was significant interregional difference in magnitude of active trachoma. Strengthening SAFE strategy and health education and promotion is recommended.
Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.
Funding StatementThe author(s) received no specific funding for this work.
Author DeclarationsI confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.
Yes
The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:
N/A
I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.
Yes
I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).
Yes
I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.
Yes
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the manuscript and its Supporting Information files.
留言 (0)