Since 1983 there has been no mass antibiotic treatment programme in the district and little change in socioeconomic status. However, compared to 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 (especially in the past 7 years) health, water and hygiene programmes were initiated and we hypothesize that the reduction in active disease is likely due to these changes. Our findings suggest that sustained reductions in active trachoma can be achieved without community-based antibiotic distribution.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.