Prevalence of Post-Operative Trichiasis in Southern Ethiopia, 2021: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Chuchu Churko; Alemayehu Bekele Kassahun; Tamiru Getachew; Belachew Bokicho; Haileyesus Deboch Terefe; Selamawit Dagne; Tsegaye Yohanes

doi:10.2147/OPTH.S431436

Prevalence of Post-Operative Trichiasis in Southern Ethiopia, 2021: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Clin Ophthalmol. 2023 Oct 9:17:2975-2982. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S431436. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Chuchu Churko¹, Alemayehu Bekele Kassahun¹, Tamiru Getachew², Belachew Bokicho³, Haileyesus Deboch Terefe³, Selamawit Dagne⁴, Tsegaye Yohanes¹

Affiliations

¹ Collaborative Research and Training Center for Neglected Tropical Diseases, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch Town, Southern Nation Nationality Region, Ethiopia.
² Department of Medical Anatomy, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch Town, Southern Nation Nationality Region, Ethiopia.
³ Disease Prevention and health Promotion Directorate, Hawassa Town, Southern Nation Nationality Region, Ethiopia.
⁴ Orbis International Ethiopia, Arba Minch Branch Office, Arba Minch Town, Southern Nation Nationality Region, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Post-operative trichiasis (PTT) is a major challenge following corrective eyelid surgery for trachomatous trichiasis. There is a scarcity of research on post-operative trichiasis in Southern Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of post-operative trichiasis in patients who underwent corrective surgery.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of post-operative trichiasis in the Gamo Zone in Southern Ethiopia in 2021.

Methods: A descriptive community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Dita district, Southern Ethiopia. The data were collected between 2014 and 2020. Three Qualified trachoma trichiasis (TT) graders working on a trachoma impact survey were recruited for this study. Eye examinations were performed by graders on all study subjects using a loupe to identify post-operative trichiasis. All patients underwent upper eyelid surgery only. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 459 participants from the TT Surgery Logbook.

Results: Of the 459 study participants, more than three quarter 353 (76.9%) were female. The mean age of the study subjects was 48.38 years with a standard deviation of +-10.4. A total of 10 upper eyelids (7 bilateral and 3 left upper eyelids) underwent PTT. The prevalence of post-operative trichiasis in the study area was 2.2% (95% CI: 0.9-3.5%. Fourteen (4.7%) unoperated upper eyelids developed trichiasis infection. A few patients had left and right lower eyelid trichiasis (6/459 [1.3%] and 3/459 [0.7%], respectively).

Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of post-operative trichiasis in the study area was similar to that recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation range. Trachoma trichiasis was observed on the lower and upper unoperated eyelids of the study participants. Therefore, sustainable interventions should be considered in the study area for all the components of the SAFE strategy, particularly on S component.

Keywords: Dita district; post-operative trichiasis; trachoma.

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the Arba Minch University College of Medicine and Health Sciences Collaborative Research and Training Centre with the grant code of GOV/AMU/TH-NTD/CRTC/05/14.