Prevalence and associated factors of vernal keratoconjunctivitis among children in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia.

backgroundVernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a common cause of ocular morbidity in children in warm dry climates such as Sub-Saharan Africa and accounts for about 3 % of serious ophthalmic cases in tropical countries. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of vernal keratoconjunctivitis among children living in Gondar City, Ethiopia.

methodsA Cross Sectional Design study was carried out in 737 children under the age of 18 years in Gondar City from April to May 2015. Basic ophthalmic examination was performed using a 3x magnifying loop and torch light and a pretested and structured questionnaire was completed. The association between vernal keratoconjunctivitis and factors such as socio-economic, demographic, and environmental status, and history of allergic disease in affected children and their family members was examined using logistic regression multivariate analysis.

resultsThe prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis was 5.8 % (95 % CI: 4.14, 7.53) (43/737) and mixed type VKC was the most frequent form which was found in 35 out of 43 cases (81.4 %). The following were positively associated with vernal keratoconjunctivitis: use of kerosene/firewood for cooking (AOR = 6.25 (95 % CI: 1.61, 25)), child dust exposure (AOR = 10.0 (95 % CI: 4.16, 20.0)), child history of non-ocular allergic diseases (AOR = 4.0 (95 % CI: 1.92, 8.33)), family history of non-ocular allergic diseases (AOR = 3.57(95 % CI: 1.39, 9.09).

conclusionThere is a high prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis in this region. The use of kerosene/firewood for cooking, child dust exposure, and non-ocular allergic disease in the child or their family were statistically significant risk factors for vernal keratoconjunctivitis.