Prevalence Of Trachomatous Trichiasis Research Articles

Prevalence of Trachoma in Yobe State, North-Eastern Nigeria

Aims: To determine the prevalence and types of trachoma in all persons resident in Yobe state, Nigeria and establish baseline data for monitoring and evaluation of trachoma control programmes. Methods: A population based cross-sectional survey of 27 villages' selected based on probability proportional to size. Three thousand, three hundred and fifty seven persons residing in these villages were examined with a ×2.5 magnifying binocular loupe for trachoma. Trachoma was graded according to the World Health Organisation grading scheme. Results: Three thousand three hundred and thirty five persons were examined. Blindness prevalence was 2.5% (CI, 2.0–3.1%); 17.9% of blindness was due to trachomatous corneal opacity. The prevalence of trachoma follicular conjunctivitis in children less 1-9 years was 18.3% (CI 16.1%–20.8%) while trachomatous trichiasis prevalence in adults above 15 years was 3.8% (CI 3.0%–4.8%). Adult females were more likely to have trichiasis than males, odds ratio 2.12 (CI 1.23–3.71). Conclusion: Trachoma remains a major cause of blindness in Yobe state; thereby supporting the need to implement all aspects of the trachoma control programme recommended by the World Health Organisation to eliminate this avoidable cause of blindness.

The Prevalence of Trachomatous Trichiasis in Oman (Oman Eye Study 2005)

Purpose: 1. To estimate the prevalence and identify the determinants of Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) among the > 40 years old Omani population. 2. To compare the results of the present study to those of the survey conducted in 1996 and propose public health policies for eye care in Oman. Methods: Ophthalmologists randomly selected 75 houses in 24 clusters. The visual status per eye was noted. The anterior segment of the eye was examined to detect TT, using the WHO simplified grading. Frequencies, the age sex standardized prevalence and their 95% Confidence Intervals (unadjusted for clustering) were calculated and the numbers of people with TT in the population were estimated. Results: Persons examined numbered 2,339. The prevalence of TT among the > 40 years old Omani population was 4.14% (CI 95% 3.3 to 4.9). The gender variation [OR = 1.51 (CI 95% 1.01 to 2.37)] and regional variation of TT was significant (p < 0.001). The standardized prevalence of TT in the > 40 years old Omani population had declined from 7.25% in 1996 to 3.96% in 2005. Predictors of TT were female gender, and age > 60 years. Conclusions: Trichiasis is still a public health problem in Oman. The prevalence is higher than the “< 1 TT case per 1000” target set for the “Ultimate Intervention Goals” for the “Elimination of Blinding Trachoma.” The TT surgery rate in Oman should be increased to reach this goal. The underlying causes of low coverage should be identified and addressed through a program approach.

Blinding Trachoma in Postconflict Southern Sudan

BackgroundTrachoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness. Reports from eye surgery camps and anecdotal data indicated that blinding trachoma is a serious cause of visual impairment in Mankien payam (district) of southern Sudan. We conducted this study to estimate the prevalence of trachoma, estimate targets for interventions, and establish a baseline for monitoring and evaluation.Methods and FindingsA population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2005. A two-stage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size was used to select the sample population. Participants were examined for trachoma by experienced graders using the World Health Organization simplified grading scheme. A total of 3,567 persons were examined (89.7% of those enumerated) of whom 2,017 were children aged less than 15 y and 1,550 were aged 15 y and above. Prevalence of signs of active trachoma in children aged 1–9 y was: trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) = 57.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54.5%–60.4%); trachomatous inflammation-intense (TI) = 39.8% (95% CI, 36.3%–43.5%); and TF and/or TI (active trachoma) = 63.3% (95% CI, 60.1%–66.4%). Prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis was 9.6% (95% CI, 8.4%–10.9%) in all ages, 2.3% (95% CI, 1.6%–3.2%) in children aged under 15 y, and 19.2% (95% CI, 17.0%–21.7%) in adults. Men were equally affected by trichiasis as women: odds ratio = 1.09 (95% CI, 0.81%–1.47%). It is estimated that there are up to 5,344 persons requiring trichiasis surgery in Mankien payam.ConclusionsTrachoma is a serious public health problem in Mankien, and the high prevalence of trichiasis in children underscores the severity of blinding trachoma. There is an urgent need to implement the surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental change (SAFE) strategy for trachoma control in Mankien payam, and the end of the 21-y civil war affords an opportunity to do this.

Blinding Trachoma in the Northern Provinces of Vietnam—A Cross Sectional Survey

Introduction: A prevalence study was conducted in 2001 as part of the SAFE Trachoma Control initiatives in twelve districts of eight northern provinces of Vietnam. The authors present the magnitude and some risk factors of trachomatous trichiasis (TT), trachomatous scarring (TS) and trachomatous corneal opacity (TCO). Methods: Ophthalmologists examined 43,677 people of more than 34 years of age, randomly selected. Ophthalmic loupe, torchlight and the trachoma grading card recommended by WHO were used for this examination. Results: The prevalence of TT was 7.31% (95% CI 7.07–7.55) and 382,950 persons with TT were included in the study population. The rate was higher in females (8.92%) than in males (5.35%). The rate was 13.7% in the district of Me Linh in Vinh Phuc province and in the districts of Ha Tay and Khoai Chau in Hung Yen province, while in the districts of Na Ri (Bac Kan province), Cam Xuyen (Ha Tinh province) and Van Yen (Yen Bai province), the prevalence of TT was less than 2%. The TT rate in the plains was 13%, while in mountainous, coastal and delta terrains, the rate fell to 2.4%, 3.5% and 9.4% respectively. The prevalence of TS and TCO was 8.42% (95% CI 8.21–8.61) and 1.1% (95% CI 1.00–1.20) respectively. Conclusion: Although the magnitude of TT is high, the problem of TCO seems to be less serious. The goal of eliminating blinding trachoma from the study area by 2010 represents a big challenge. Based on these survey estimates, the national program could plan resources for the ‘S’ strategy of trachoma control (surgery for those at immediate risk of blindness).

Trachoma among adults in Damot Gale District, South Ethiopia

PURPOSE To determine the prevalence of trachoma and its risk factors among adults in the Damot Gale District of south Ethiopia. METHODS A cross-sectional, community based survey was conducted in the Damot Gale District of south Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select subjects. RESULTS Out of 924 eligible subjects, 855 were examined, for a response rate of 92.5%. Active trachoma [follicles (TF), intense inflammation (TI) or TF/TI] was found in 20.6% (95% CI: 17.8–23.4%) of the subjects. The prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and corneal opacity (CO) was 6.8% (95% CI: 5.1–8.5%) and 2.1% (95% CI: 1.0–3.1%), respectively. Females were affected by active trachoma twice as often as males [OR 2.13 (95% CI: 1.67–3.50, P < 0.0001)]. The prevalence of blinding trachoma (TT and CO) was also significantly higher among females [OR 3.03 (95% CI: 1.58–5.89, P < 0.001)]. Literacy and face washing were found to be significantly associated with less prevalence of active trachoma. CONCLUSION The prevalence of both active and cicatricial trachoma among adults residing in the Damot Gale District of south Ethiopia is very high. Although children are the main reservoirs of active trachoma, intervention strategies should address the fact that a high prevalence of active trachoma is also found among adults residing in hyperendemic areas.