Background Xerophthalmia during pregnancy is a major public health problem, associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women. Studies indicated that Ethiopia is a country with the highest rates of xerophthalmia. However, most studies emphasize biochemical deficiency or night blindness rather than the full clinical spectrum. This study was intended to assess all clinical forms of xerophthalmia. Objective The study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of xerophthalmia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in general and referral public hospitals of the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, in 2024. Methods Using an institution‐based cross‐sectional design, a total of 1387 pregnant women were selected using a systematic random sampling technique to assess for xerophthalmia. The data collection was conducted from February 2024 to July 2024. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% CI and significance level p value (< 0.05), which expresses the magnitude of the effect of each category on the outcome relative to the reference category. Results Out of the total 1387 selected pregnant women, 1355 participated, yielding a response rate of 97.83%. The prevalence of xerophthalmia was 25% (95% CI: 22.7%–27.3%). Factors significantly associated with xerophthalmia include inadequate sanitation (AOR = 2.369; 95% CI: 1.335–4.202), not taking iron supplementation (AOR = 2.577; 95% CI: 1.551–4.284), fewer antenatal care follow‐ups (AOR = 3.462; 95% CI: 2.203–5.441), not owning livestock (AOR = 9.528; 95% CI: 5.666–16.023), history of miscarriage (AOR = 7.984; 95% CI: 4.361–14.614), alcohol consumption during pregnancy (AOR = 8.045; 95% CI: 3.94–16.425), consuming inadequate vegetables (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.18–2.40), and mid‐upper arm circumference < 23 cm (AOR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.58–3.08). Conclusions Xerophthalmia among pregnant women in the Tigray Region indicates a critical public health concern. Inadequate sanitation, alcohol consumption during pregnancy, history of miscarriage, not owning livestock, low ANC attendance, inadequate vegetable consumption, undernutrition, and lack of iron supplementation during pregnancy were significantly associated with xerophthalmia. Therefore, we recommend adequate sanitation, avoiding alcohol consumption during pregnancy, preventing miscarriage, owning livestock in the household, ANC attendance, consuming vegetables, preventing acute malnutrition, and iron supplementation during pregnancy as effective interventions.
Dagnazgi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.