Caregivers’ Knowledge Level of Trachoma Control among Children Aged 1-9 Years in Kajiado County
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/jhmn.3702Keywords:
Caregivers' Knowledge, Trachoma Control, Child Health, Community HealthAbstract
Purpose: This study sought to investigate the caregiver’s level of knowledge of trachoma control among children aged 1-9 years in Kajiado County.
Methodology: Cross-sectional analytical research design was used. 428 participants were selected from the study area. The survey encompassed the gathering of quantitative as well as qualitative data. Multi-stage sampling was used to select the study area and the research participants. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Regression analysis, chi square test and correlation analysis was used to determine the significance of the study variables and in hypothesis testing. The study will be useful in policy formulation on Trachoma programs.
Findings: The mean knowledge level of the caregivers was 6.73 with a standard deviation of 1.50. Notably, 63.1% (n=270) had good knowledge level of trachoma because they scored above the mean while 36.9% (n=158) scored below the mean (low knowledge level).
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: To eliminate trachoma, the government and policy makers should not only invest in awareness creation on the disease but also focus on reducing the barriers to access of safe water and sanitation facilities.
Downloads
References
Asgedom, Y. S., Berihun, G., Desye, B., Geto, A. K., & Daba, C. (2025). Prevalence and associated factors of active trachoma among children of 1 to 9 years in low income countries of Africa: A systematic review and meta analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1478001. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1478001
Asmare, Z. A., Assefa, N. L., Abebe, D., Nigatu, S. G., & Alimaw, Y. A. (2023). Trachoma prevention practice and associated factors among mothers having children aged under nine years in Andabet district, northwest Ethiopia, 2022: A multi-level analysis. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 17(6), e0011433.
Basha, G. W., Woya, A. A., & Tekile, A. K. (2020). Prevalence and risk factors of active trachoma among primary school children of Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 68(5), 750.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Prevention of blindness: Trachoma control. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Churko, C., Asfaw, M. A., & Zerdo, Z. (2021). Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Associated Factors Towards Trachoma Among People Living in Arba Minch Zuria District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, NZ), 15, 3075.
Chweya, R. N., Onyango, C. A., Saigilu, S., Mwangi, C., & Gachohi, J. M. (2024). Spatial and network mapping of comorbidity with trachoma and visual-impairing NCDs in a pastoralist community in Kenya: implications for SDGs and UHC. International Health, 16(1), 35-44.
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). (2023). 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Fact sheets. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics - Kenya's Top Data Site. https://www.knbs.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Kenya-Demographic-and-Health-Survey-2022-Factsheet-Kajiado.pdf
Mered Tilahun, M., Lelisa Eticha, B., Girma Shobiso, M., & Markos Lorato, M. (2024). Knowledge and associated factors towards trachoma in rural Lemo district, Southern Ethiopia, 2021. Cogent Public Health, 11(1), 2348864.
Ministry of Health. (2021). Trachoma elimination programme: Kajiado County trachoma prevalence report (2021 sub county data). Government of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya. (
Mtuy, T. B., Bardosh, K., Ngondi, J., Mwingira, U., Seeley, J., Burton, M., & Lees, S. (2021). Understanding hard-to-reach communities: local perspectives and experiences of trachoma control among the pastoralist Maasai in northern Tanzania. Journal of Biosocial Science, 53(6), 819-838.
Mtuy, T. B., Burton, M. J., Mwingira, U., Ngondi, J. M., Seeley, J., & Lees, S. (2019). Knowledge, perceptions and experiences of trachoma among Maasai in Tanzania: Implications for prevention and control. PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 13(6), e0007508.
Parsimei, R. (2016). Prevalence and risk factors for trachoma infection among children aged 1–9 years in Magadi Division, Kenya (Unpublished master’s thesis). Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Parsimei, R., N‘Oirere, B. O., & M’mayi, C. (2021). Risk factors of potentially blinding trachoma in Loodokilani ward, Kajiado County, Kenya. International Journal of Professional Practice, 9(1), 26–35.
Tsang, K., de Wildt, G., Mwingira, U., & Mtuy, T. B. (2021). Implementing trachoma control programmes in marginalised populations in Tanzania: A qualitative study exploring the experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders. PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 15(9), e0009727.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Trachoma. Retrieved 19 March 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trachoma
Yirdaw, G., & Tegegne, E. (2024). Knowledge, Practice and Associated Factor of Trachoma Transmission and Prevention Among Primary School Students in Addis Zemen Town, South Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. Environmental Health Insights, 18, 11786302241306933.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Cyne Mohamud Jamaa, Dr. Mary Gitahi , Dr. Isabell King’ori

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.