Awareness of Trachoma Prevention among People of Bolori Community Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world. It is commonly found among cultural groups with poor hygiene. Its  controls include; Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental Sanitation (SAFE). Potentially blinding and active trachoma are  monitored using trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in adults and trachoma inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years respectively. A  community-based crosssectional study was conducted to assess the awareness of trachoma preventive measures among the people of Bolori, in the  metropolitan council of Maiduguri Borno State, Nigeria.

Methods: The study utilizes a descriptive research design and a multi-stage sampling technique, which involve both stratified random and  convenient sampling methods respectively. The instruments comprise a closed-ended questions and sections A and B. Section A: focus mainly on  sociodemographic data while section B; focuses on the research question. The researcher initially divided Bolori wards into 7 strata of which a  convenient sample technique was used to administer 53 questionnaires to 3 strata and 54 questionnaires to 4 strata, each daily which lasted 7 days. 

Results: The majority of the respondents are aware of trachoma preventive measures. The majority (34.8%) of the respondents are between the  ages of 26 – 35 years, 37 (32.2%) of the respondents are between the ages of 36 – 45 years, 20 (17.4%) of the respondents are within the age range  of 15 – 25 years, and 46 years and above are 18 (15.6%) of the respondents. The Grand Total Mean for Knowledge of respondents was 57.4%, causes  and prevention 76.7%, the attitude of the people towards personal and environmental sanitation 76.8%, and SAFE strategy prevention is 51.5%.  

Conclusion: Based on the data obtained from the research study, findings revealed that the majority of the respondents have a good awareness of  Trachoma prevention, especially on a good attitude toward environmental sanitation. Findings also revealed that there was low access to clean and  adequate water supply among the populace of the community.