Investigating the hygiene-related factors influencing prevalence of trachoma among children below nine years in Turkana West Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya

Smalle Elimlim Duncan; Peter Edome Akwee; Paul L. Mutu

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263165

Authors

Smalle Elimlim Duncan Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, Turkana University College, Turkana, Nairobi, Kenya
Peter Edome Akwee Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, Turkana University College, Turkana, Nairobi, Kenya
Paul L. Mutu Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, Turkana University College, Turkana, Nairobi, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263165

Keywords:

Hygiene-related factors, Hygiene education, Trachoma

Abstract

Background: Turkana County is one of the counties where trachoma is endemic. Trachoma impact survey of 2024 indicated Turkana West Sub County having a prevalence of 11.8%. The purpose of the study is to investigate factors influencing prevalence of trachoma in children below nine years in Turkana West Sub County. The objective of the study includes investigating the hygiene related factors among children below nine years.

Methods: The target population consisted of 23,493 households in wards in Turkana West Sub County. Stratified random sampling was used to obtain a sample of 223 households from all the wards in Turkana West Sub County. Purposive sampling was used to select 21 healthcare workers. Questionnaires and interview were used to collect data. University supervisors from Turkana University College assessed validity of the questionnaires. Piloting of the study was done in Loima Sub County. Data was presented using tables and graphs where frequencies and percentages were used to describe the data.

Results: The findings revealed that presence of excess flies (47.3%), presence of human faeces (21.6%), sharing of clothing (45%) and poor facial hygiene (66.7%) contribute to trachoma transmission.

Conclusions: These results underscore the urgent need for integrated public health interventions focused on improving sanitation, water access, and hygiene education to reduce trachoma prevalence and enhance child health in the region. The findings of this study help to reduce cases of trachoma in children below nine years. This study also benefit medical practitioners and other stakeholders for planning purposes.

References

Abdulhussein D, Abdul Hussein M. WHO Vision 2020: Have we done it? Ophthalm Epidemiol. 2023;30(4): 331-339.

Ndisabiye D, Gahungu A, Kayugi D, Waters EK. Association of environmental risk factors and trachoma in Gashoho Health District, Burundi. Afr Heal Sci. 2020; 20(1):182-9.

Adafrie Y, Redae G, Zenebe D, Adhena G. Uptake of trachoma trichiasis surgery and associated factors among trichiasis-diagnosed clients in southern Tigray, Ethiopia. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021:1939-48.

World Health Organization. Trachoma, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trachoma. Accessed on 01 July 2026.

Solomon AW, Pavluck AL, Courtright P, Aboe A., Adamu L., Alemayehu W, et al. The Global Trachoma Mapping Project: Methodology of a 34-country population-based study. Ophthalmic Epidemiology. 2015;22(3):214–25.

Adamu MD, Mohammed Jabo A, Orji P, Zhang Y, Isiyaku S, Olobio N, et al. Baseline prevalence of trachoma in 21 local government areas of Adamawa State, North East Nigeria. Ophthalm Epidemiol. 2023;30(6):599-607.

WaterAid. Eliminating trachoma: accelerating towards 2020. Commu Eye Heal. 2016;29(93):18-25.

Ntozini R. Trachoma control using water, sanitation, and hygiene. Lancet Glob Heal. 2022;10(1):e10-e11.

Parsimei R, Oirere BN, M’mayi C. Risk factors of potentially blinding trachoma in Loodokilani Ward, Kajiado County, Kenya. Int J Profess Pract. 2021;9(1):26-35.

County Government of Turkana. Turkana County Integrated Development Plan 2018-2022. Available at: https://repository.kippra.or.ke/items/e757bc30-f4d0-407e-bbed-77eea052d8d6. Accessed on 01 July 2026.

Emerson PM, Lindsay SW, Alexander N, Bah M, Dibba SM, Faal HB, et al. Role of flies and provision of latrines in trachoma control: Cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2004;363(9415):1093-8.

Freeman MC, Stocks ME, Cumming O, Jeandron A, Higgins JPT, Wolf J, et al. Hygiene and health: Systematic review of handwashing practices worldwide and update of health effects. Trop Medi Int Heal. 2013;19(8):906-16.

UNICEF, World Health Organization. Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2022: Special focus on inequalities, 2023.Available at: https://data.unicef.org/resources/jmp-report-2023/. Accessed on 01 July 2026.

Berhanu L, Daba C, Desye B, Geto AK, Berihun G. Association between presence of latrine and unclean child face on the prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1 to 9 years in low-income setting: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Plos one. 2025;20(8):e0330077.

AMREF, SSI, CBM. Trachoma Control Project; End Term Evaluation Report. Nairobi: Upward Bound Company 2011.