Prevalence of xerophthalmia and associated factors among pregnant women in Tigray region, Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study
1
Public health nutrition, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2015
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Xerophthalmia during pregnancy is a major public health problem, associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women. And it is expected high in Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of xerophthalmia and identify its associated factors among pregnant women in Tigray region, Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE:
The study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of xerophthalmia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in general and referral public hospitals of Tigray region, Ethiopia, in 2024.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the general and referral public hospitals of Tigray, Ethiopia, with a sample size of 1387. The data collection was conducted from February -2024 to July -2024 using a systematic random sampling technique. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% CI and significance level P-value (<0.05) which express the magnitude of the effect of each category on the outcome relative to the reference category.
RESULTS:
Out of the total 1387 selected pregnant women, 1355 participated, yielding response rate of 97.83%. The prevalence of xerophthalmia was 25%. Factors significantly associated with xerophthalmia include: inadequate sanitation (AOR = 2.369, 95% CI: 1335-4.202), not taking iron supplementation (AOR = 2.577 95% CI: 1.551-4.284), mid upper arm circumference < 23 cm (AOR = 2.204, 95% CI: 1.575-3.084), fewer antenatal care follow up (AOR=3.462 95% CI: 2.203-5.441), not owning livestock (AOR=9.528, 95% CI: 5.666-16.023), history of miscarriage (AOR= 7.984% CI: 4.361-14.614), not consuming vegetable (AOR= 1.684% CI: 1.183-2.396), alcohol consumption during pregnancy (AOR= 8.045% CI:3.94 -16.425).
CONCLUSIONS:
Xerophthalmia in pregnant women was a critical public health concern. Factors such as inadequate sanitation, alcohol consumption during pregnancy, history of miscarriage, not owning of livestock, low ANC attendance, low vegetable consumption, under-nutrition, and lack of iron supplementation during pregnancy were significantly associated with xerophthalmia.
Xerophthalmia during pregnancy is a major public health problem, associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women. And it is expected high in Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of xerophthalmia and identify its associated factors among pregnant women in Tigray region, Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE:
The study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of xerophthalmia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in general and referral public hospitals of Tigray region, Ethiopia, in 2024.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the general and referral public hospitals of Tigray, Ethiopia, with a sample size of 1387. The data collection was conducted from February -2024 to July -2024 using a systematic random sampling technique. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% CI and significance level P-value (<0.05) which express the magnitude of the effect of each category on the outcome relative to the reference category.
RESULTS:
Out of the total 1387 selected pregnant women, 1355 participated, yielding response rate of 97.83%. The prevalence of xerophthalmia was 25%. Factors significantly associated with xerophthalmia include: inadequate sanitation (AOR = 2.369, 95% CI: 1335-4.202), not taking iron supplementation (AOR = 2.577 95% CI: 1.551-4.284), mid upper arm circumference < 23 cm (AOR = 2.204, 95% CI: 1.575-3.084), fewer antenatal care follow up (AOR=3.462 95% CI: 2.203-5.441), not owning livestock (AOR=9.528, 95% CI: 5.666-16.023), history of miscarriage (AOR= 7.984% CI: 4.361-14.614), not consuming vegetable (AOR= 1.684% CI: 1.183-2.396), alcohol consumption during pregnancy (AOR= 8.045% CI:3.94 -16.425).
CONCLUSIONS:
Xerophthalmia in pregnant women was a critical public health concern. Factors such as inadequate sanitation, alcohol consumption during pregnancy, history of miscarriage, not owning of livestock, low ANC attendance, low vegetable consumption, under-nutrition, and lack of iron supplementation during pregnancy were significantly associated with xerophthalmia.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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