Trachoma control using water, sanitation, and hygiene

Abstract

Trachoma remains a neglected tropical disease, causing blindness or visual impairment in 1·9 million people and it is responsible for 1·4% of all blindness, worldwide.1 It affects communities living in poor, rural areas in low-income countries where access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is scarce.1–3 Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region, where trachoma is hyperendemic in some regions.2,4 The SAFE strategy—which has been mandated by WHO for the elimination of trachoma—outlines measures to manage the disease and has been implemented in trachoma endemic countries since 1998.