Self-Reported Side Effects following Mass Administration of Azithromycin to Eliminate Trachoma in Amhara, Ethiopia: Results from a Region-Wide Population-Based Survey

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2019 Mar;100(3):696-699. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0781.

Abstract

A region-wide population-based post-mass drug administration (MDA) coverage survey was conducted 3 weeks following the 2016 trachoma MDA in Amhara, Ethiopia. The prevalence of self-reported side effects was assessed among those who self-reported receiving azithromycin. A total of 16,773 individuals from 5,129 households reported taking azithromycin during the 2016 MDA in Amhara. The regional prevalence of any self-reported side effect was 9.6% (95% CI: 8.3-11.2%) and ranged from 3.9% to 12.4% among the 10 zones. The most common reported side effects were abdominal pain (53.1%), nausea (21.7%), vomiting (12.8%), and diarrhea (12.5%). Side-effect prevalence among female members was higher than in male members (11.6% versus 7.6%; P < 0.001) and increased with age. After an average of 8 years of annual MDA, the prevalence of self-reported side effects was less than 10% in this population.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Azithromycin / administration & dosage*
  • Azithromycin / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mass Drug Administration*
  • Middle Aged
  • Self Report*
  • Trachoma / epidemiology
  • Trachoma / prevention & control*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azithromycin