Prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and its associated factors among children in Gambella town, southwest Ethiopia, June 2018

Abstract

Introduction Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a chronic bilateral severe form of allergic conjunctivitis which affects normal activities in school/work. It is a severe form of allergies in warm and dry tropical and sub-tropical countries. Its prevalence in Ethiopia ranges from 5.2% to7.3%. Most studies are institution based and do not address specific factors associated with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. There is no a study that shows the magnitude of vernal keratoconjunctivitis in the study area. Objective To assess the prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and its associated factors among children in Gambella town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2018. Methods and materials A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 25 to May 12, 2018, in Gambella town. A total of 578 study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, torch, and magnifying loop were used to collect data. The data was entered into epidemiological information 7.1 and exported to statistical package for social science for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis model was fitted to identify factors associated with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Odds ratio with respected 95% CI was used to identify the direction and strength of association. Results A total of 574 children participated in this study representing a response rate of 99.30%. The mean age of the participants was 9.74±4.0 years. The prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis was 11.10% (95% CI: 8.70, 13.90). Male sex (adjusted odds ratio = 4.12(95% CI: 1.42, 11.91)), close animal contact (adjusted odds ratio = 3.45(95% CI: 1.14, 10.41)), dust exposure (adjusted odds ratio = 3.38(95% CI: 1.31, 10.04)), and personal systemic allergy history (adjusted odds ratio = 4.82(1.40, 16.72) were independently associated with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Conclusion The prevalence of VKC was high among children in Gambella town. Sex being male, close animal contact, personal systemic allergy history, and dust exposure were positively associated with vernal keratoconjunctivitis independently.

Air pollution significantly associated with severe ocular allergic inflammatory diseases

“…In the western European union, the prevalence of VKC was previously estimated as 0.03% 18 . However, a higher prevalence of VKC has been reported for Asian and African countries 19 . In southwest Ethiopia, the prevalence of VKC was estimated to be 5.2–7.3% in 2018, and it was significantly associated with dust exposure as a pollutant 19 .…”

“…However, a higher prevalence of VKC has been reported for Asian and African countries 19 . In southwest Ethiopia, the prevalence of VKC was estimated to be 5.2–7.3% in 2018, and it was significantly associated with dust exposure as a pollutant 19 . In our detailed analysis, AKC and VKC were significantly associated with the levels of ambient NO, NO 2 , NO x , and oxidants as well as PM 10 .…”

Immunopharmacology in Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: Current and Future Perspectives

“…This poses a significant economic burden, as VKC restricts children and adults from performing their normal, daily activities and may result in serious, irreversible visual complications [ 14 , 38 ]. Without timely and effective diagnosis and treatment, 4.6% of patients with VKC suffer from a visual deficit [ 38 , 39 ].…”

A prospective comparative study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of olopatadine eye drops and bepotastine eye drops in subjects of vernal kerato conjunctivitis

“…VKC most commonly occurs in boys living in warm, dry, subtropical climates, such as India. 5 VKC is a chronic, bilateral, at times asymmetrical, seasonally exacerbated, allergic inflammation of the ocular surface, involving tarsal and/or bulbar conjunctiva. It is an IgEand T cell-mediated disease, leading to a chronic inflammation, in which eosinophil, lymphocyte and structural cell activation characterize the conjunctival allergic reaction.…”