Prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular and associated factors among children aged 1-9 years in northeastern Ethiopia.

"Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participateAll study methods were performed in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. An ethical clearance letter was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University. Permission was also obtained from South Wollo Zone Health Bureau and Jamma District Health Offices to conduct the study. The primary respondents (mothers/caregivers) were informed about the purpose of the study. Written informed consent and assent were obtained from the mothers/caregivers of participating children, consent for the mothers/caregivers themselves and assent on behalf of the participating children. Furthermore, verbal informed consent from illiterate study participants was obtained. Verbal informed consent was approved by the Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University.The respondents’ right to refuse or withdraw from participating in the interview was fully maintained and the information they provided was kept strictly confidential. All efforts were made to prevent cross-infection when examining the study participant children. Study participant children who had active trachoma were given treatment with topical tetracycline eye ointment and also linked to the nearby health center for further eye health follow-up. Health education was given to the caregivers (guardians) for the future prevention of trachoma. Consent for publicationNot applicable. Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests."

"Funding Amhara Regional Health Bureau funded this study. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of manuscript."