Night blindness is a serious public health problem of pregnant women's in Tahtay Koraro District, Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia

摘要

Introduction: Night blindness is significant public health problem among pregnant women in Ethiopia and estimated to be more severe in rural areas. However; there is insufficient information about the magnitude of night blindness among pregnant women's of rural Ethiopia. The same is true in the study region. Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of night blindness among pregnant Women's in Tahtay Koraro District, Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was employed in February 2013 among selected 323 pregnant women's. Two stage cluster sampling was employed; in the first stage seven kebeles were selected randomly, in the second stage study subjects were selected with considering probability proportional to population size (PPS). A structured and pretested questionnaire was used for data collection based on the objective of the study. The data was entered, cleaned and analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 16. Bivariate & multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with night blindness at confidence limits of 95% and P-value less than 5% significant. Frequencies, proportion, summary statistics were used for presenting the result of the study. Results: out of 323 pregnant women 56 (17%) were suffered from night blindness. Pregnant women's age beyond 35 years were 4.9 times more likely to be night blinded than those with age less than 25 years [AOR=4.9; 95% CI: (1.6-14.9)]. Pregnant women's income less than 500 Ethiopian birr per month were 2 times more likely to be night blinded than those who can earn more than that [AOR=2.0; 95% CI:(1.02-3.9)]. Pregnant women's didn't have own cattle were 5.6 times more likely to be night blinded than those who have cattle [AOR=5.6; 95% CI: (2.9, 11.0)]. Pregnant women's with no hand washing practice after toilet were 3 times more likely to be night blinded than having hand washing practice after toilet [AOR=3.0; 95% CI:(1.3 -7.1)]. Conclusion: Night blindness is a serious public health problem of pregnant women's. Pregnant Women's age greater than 35 years, not having cattle, no hand washing practice after toilet and income less than 500 Ethiopian birr per month, were significantly affected by night blindness.