| Autor: |
Hoechsmann, Alex, Metcalfe, Nick, Kanjaloti, Steve, Godia, Henry, Mtambo, Olga, Chipeta, Towera, Barrows, John, Witte, Christine, Courtright, Paul |
| Předmět: |
|
| Zdroj: |
Ophthalmic Epidemiology; Jul2001, Vol. 8 Issue 2/3, 3 Charts |
| Abstrakt: |
PURPOSE. A survey was conducted in Chikwawa District,Malawi in order to compare the current prevalence of trachoma with a similarsurvey in 1983. METHODS. Using random cluster household sampling, children aged 1 to 6and adults aged 50 or older were enumerated and examined for the presenceof trachoma. RESULTS. Among the 1313 children enumerated, 1249 (95.1%) were examinedand among the 1431 adults enumerated, 1221 (85.3%) were examined. The prevalenceof active trachoma among the children was 13.9% (11.9–15.9%), 10.0%in males and 14.4% in females. The prevalence of active trachoma varied significantlyamong the 25 clusters, ranging from 3.9% to 38.2% with 5 clusters (20%) havinga prevalence >20%. Signs of trachomatous trichiasis were observed in 1.0%of adults examined. Active disease in 1999 was associated with a longer distanceto the primary water source. CONCLUSIONS. Since 1983 there has been no mass antibiotic treatment programmein the district and little change in socioeconomic status. However, comparedto the 1983 findings, active trachoma has been reduced by over 50% (p <0.001) and trachomatous trichiasis by over 80%. In the 16-year interim (especiallyin the past 7 years) health, water and hygiene programmes were initiated andwe hypothesize that the reduction in active disease is likely due to thesechanges. Our findings suggest that sustained reductions in active trachomacan be achieved without community-based antibiotic distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
|
