Prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis in the community of Alaba District, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND Until the burden of active trachoma is reduced for a sustained period, trachomatous trichiasis (TT) will remain one of the major causes of blindness in Ethiopia. The magnitude of trichiasis as well as knowledge, attitude and practice of people with this condition in Alaba District is not known. OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis in the community and evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of these cases. DESIGN A community based cross-sectional study. SETTING Alaba District, 365 Km from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. RESULTS Out of 3850 people who were screened, 104 (2.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2-3.2) cases were found to have trichiasis of which females and males accounted for 79.8 % (83/ 104) and 20.2%, (21/104) respectively. While all cases didn't know the cause and risk factors for trichiasis, nearly all of them, 102 (98.1%), knew that surgical treatment could prevent blindness from trichiasis. Previously operated patients were reported to be the most important source of information regarding its management. Eighty two (78.8%) of them epilate the misdirected cilia. The cost of surgery and distance from eye care service were found to be the two main barriers preventing the cases from having surgery. CONCLUSION The prevalence of trichiasis greater than 1%, according to WHO, indicated that the community of Alaba District is facing a blinding trachoma. An increased public awareness regarding this common blinding disorder is required through health education. In addition, affordable and accessible surgical facility for trichiasis is needed in the area in order to prevent blindness.