Clinical ophthalmology
Who Knows How to Prevent Trachoma? Caregiver Preventive Knowledge and Associated Factors in Moroto District, Uganda
By Nelson Bunani, Caroline Birungi, Godfrey Tumwizere and 3 others.
Abstract
Background
Trachoma remains the leading infectious cause of blindness globally. In Moroto District, Uganda, the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF) among children aged 1– 9 years remained at 10– 29.9% in 2023, at least twice the elimination threshold. Caregivers directly influence children’s hygiene, yet evidence on their preventive knowledge is limited. This study assessed trachoma preventive knowledge and associated factors among caregivers of children aged 1– 9 years in Moroto District.
Methods
This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 620 randomly selected caregivers of children aged 1– 9 years in selected communities in Moroto District. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire in Kobo Collect, with knowledge items adapted from published trachoma knowledge tools. Knowledge was measured with 12 items (score 0– 12), and caregivers scoring above the mean were classified as having good knowledge. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine the factors associated with trachoma preventive knowledge at the 95% confidence level.