Population Prevalence of Trachoma in Nine Rural Non-Indigenous Evaluation Units of Brazil

Abstract

Purpose : To assess the contemporary prevalence of trachoma in Brazil’s non-indigenous population, surveys of those thought to be at greatest risk of disease were conducted. Methods : Rural census tracts of non-indigenous population from nine mesoregions were selected to compose the survey evaluation units (EUs) by considering previously endemic municipalities at greatest risk of trachoma. In each of the nine EUs, we conducted a population-based prevalence survey. Every resident of selected households aged 1 year was examined for trachomatous inflammation — follicular (TF) and trachomatous trichiasis (TT). Additionally, data were collected on household-level access to water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and education. Results : A total of 27,962 individuals were examined across nine EUs. The age-adjusted TF prevalence in 1–9-year-olds was <5% in each EU. The age- and gender-adjusted prevalence of TT unknown to the health system in ≥15-year-olds was <0.2% in eight EUs; in one EU, it was 0.22%. The median number of households surveyed per EU with access to an improved drinking water source within a 30-minute roundtrip of the house was 66%. School attendance was >99% of surveyed children. Conclusions : The prevalence of TF was well below the target for elimination as a public health problem in all EUs. Because EUs surveyed were selected to represent the highest-risk non-indigenous areas of the country, TF prevalence is unlikely to be ≥5% in non-indigenous populations elsewhere. In one EU, the prevalence of TT was above the target threshold for elimination. Further investigation and possibly improvement in TT surgical provision are required in that EU.

Advancing towards the elimination of trachoma as a cause of blindness in two cities in Sao Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil

“…Our results are in line with other trachoma prevalence surveys conducted in Brazil lately, which have shown the decline of trachoma prevalence even in previous endemic areas 7 , 8 .…”

“…However, school surveys miss the preschool age group, which is usually the highest risk group for TF 6 . More recent studies have shown a decreasing prevalence, particularly in poor rural areas of Brazil 7 , 8 .…”

Epidemiology and control of trachoma in the state of Ceará, Northeast Brazil, 2007-2021

“…However, the sequelae form of the disease, the TT “ unknown to the health system ,” had an estimated prevalence of 0.22% in some areas, such as northwestern Ceará. This borders the critical value of 0.2% in non-indigenous areas but is within the confidence interval (0.06-0.44) 8 revealed in the National Survey for the Validation of the Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem, developed by the Ministry of Health, for the period 2018-2019, for non-indigenous areas.…”

“…In Brazil, the prevalence of active trachoma is under the limits recommended for eliminating the disease 8 . However, the sequelae form of the disease, the TT “ unknown to the health system ,” had an estimated prevalence of 0.22% in some areas, such as northwestern Ceará.…”

Análise cienciométrica da pesquisa sobre tracoma no Brasil, 2000–2020

“…A etapa 1 do Inquérito para Validação da Eliminação do Tracoma como Problema de Saúde Pública, desenvolvido no Brasil no período de 2018-2019, evidenciou em áreas não indígenas prevalência abaixo de 5% da forma ativa da doença (tracoma folicular) entre crianças de um a nove anos de idade. A forma sequelar da doença (triquíase tracomatosa), desconhecida pelo sistema de saúde, foi inferior ao valor crítico de 0,2%, com exceção a Unidade de Avaliação do Nordeste Cearense, que apresentou prevalência de 0,22% 7 , no entanto, com valor contido no intervalo de confiança.…”