Abstract:
Trachoma is an infection of the eyes caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It
is caused by the recurrent, chronic infection of the ocular surface and is a leading cause
of infectious blindness in the world. The disease is endemic in over 30 counties (former
districts) in Kenya including Kajiado. Strategies for elimination of the disease adopted
by the Ministry of Health and various stakeholders include surgery, antibiotic treatment,
facial cleanliness and enviromental changes (SAFE). This study aimed at determining
the knowledge, practices and perceptions of trachoma and their influence (association
with) the health-seeking behaviour of patients in Kajiado central division. A descriptive
cross-sectional study was conducted in Kajiado central division among 271 trachoma
patients with both infectious and blinding trachoma. A total of 18 clusters registered
with the ongoing AMREF Kenya trachoma control programme in the sub county
(former division) were used to estimate the number of trachoma patients in each cluster
and a simple random sampling done to select 7 clusters. Recruitment of trachoma
patients meeting the inclusion criteria was done and consecutive sequential sampling
used. Data was collected through interviews of 271 trachoma patients and 269
successfully analyzed statistically using univariate and bivariate analysis. 6 FGDs and
10 key informants were done, with information grouped and analyzed thematically. The
commonly-identified signs and symptoms of trachoma among children 0-10 (36%) and
10-17 years (46%) by child care takers were redness of the eyes and watery eyes (26%
and 37%) while among adult patients the presence of watery eyes (36%), followed by
redness of eyes (20%) and poor eye sight (21%). Among children and adults, nearly two
thirds sought treatment and care from health clinics. One fifth of care takers sought for
treatment when the signs and symptoms became critical (22% and 19%) while (18% and
15%) sought for treatment after failure from traditional healers. The factors significantly
associated with seeking care from health facilities were: knowledge of link between
trachoma and animals (OR=2.24, P=0.036), how long it takes them to water source
(OR=0.42, P=0.036), compound clean (OR=5.05, P=0.0042), times they wash face
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(OR=0.25, P=0.0028), and have pit latrine (OR=0.19, P=0.036). The study findings
show poor knowledge on trachoma and signs and symptoms (P=0.045). Community
members preferred seeking for medical health late and poor practices towards treatment
and management of the diseases. The study recommends improvement of knowledge
and behavior change communication strategies to improve knowledge of the disease,
causes and prevention and early health seeking effective and efficient treatment.
