Prevalence and causes of blindness and Low Vision in Ethiopia

Adamu³

et al. 2016

Purpose: Trachoma is a major cause of blindness in Ethiopia, and targeted for elimination as a public health problem by the year 2020. Prevalence data are needed to plan interventions. We set out to estimate the prevalence of trachoma in each evaluation unit of grouped districts (“woredas”) in Benishangul Gumuz region, Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted seven cross-sectional community-based surveys, covering 20 woredas, between December 2013 and January 2014, as part of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP). The standardized GTMP training package and methodologies were used. Results: A total of 5828 households and 21,919 individuals were enumerated in the surveys. 19,583 people (89.3%) were present when survey teams visited. A total of 19,530 (99.7%) consented to examination, 11,063 (56.6%) of whom were female. The region-wide age- and sex-adjusted trichiasis prevalence in adults aged ≥15 years was 1.3%. Two evaluation units covering four woredas (Pawe, Mandura, Bulen and Dibate) with a combined rural population of 166,959 require implementation of the A, F and E components of the SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement) for at least three years before re-survey, and intervention planning should begin for these woredas as soon as possible. Conclusion: Both active trachoma and trichiasis are public health problems in Benishangul Gumuz, which needs implementation of the full SAFE strategy.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Trachoma in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia: Results of Seven Population-Based Surveys from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project

Adamu

Adamu³

et al. 2016

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 It is endemic in all regions, with an estimated 65 million people at risk. 4 There is an urgent need to complete the map of trachoma globally to appropriately target resources towards the goal of elimination as a public health problem by the year 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) simplified trachoma grading system 5,6 was designed to be an effective tool for use in large-scale public health surveys.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Trachoma in Gambella Region, Ethiopia: Results of Three Population-Based Prevalence Surveys Conducted with the Global Trachoma Mapping Project

Abashawl

Riang

et al. 2016

Purpose: In Ethiopia, trachoma is a major public health problem, accounting for 11.5% of all cases of blindness. In Gambella, one of the country’s most remote regions, the 2005–2006 National Survey of Blindness, Low Vision and Trachoma estimated a region-level prevalence of active trachoma of 19.1% in those aged 1–9 years. Detailed district or sub-regional level estimates are required to implement interventions. Methods: Population-based prevalence surveys were carried out following a 2-stage cluster random sampling methodology and Global Trachoma Mapping Project protocols. As the 13 districts (woredas) in Gambella had relatively small populations, they were grouped together to form three evaluation units (EUs) of about 100,000 persons each, and all subsequent survey planning and sampling was carried out at EU-level. Results: Altogether, 558 cases of TF (17.2%) were identified in 3238 children aged 1–9 years across the three EUs. The adjusted TF prevalences in 1–9-year-olds for the three EUs were 11.5%, 12.5% and 19.3%; 14.4% for Gambella overall. A total of 142 cases of trichiasis (3.8%) were identified among 3781 adults aged 15 years or older, with age- and sex-adjusted EU-level trichiasis prevalences in adults being 0.8%, 1.3% and 2.4%; 1.5% overall. Conclusion: The high prevalences of TF and trichiasis throughout Gambella indicate a need for rapid scaling up of the World Health Organization SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement) to help meet the 2020 target of global elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.

“…3 A national survey carried out in 2005–2006 found an estimated national prevalence of active trachoma (trachomatous inflammation – follicular, TF, and/or trachomatous inflammation – intense, TI) of 40.1% in children aged 1–9 years, with an estimated TF prevalence of 25.6% in children in Tigray. 4,5 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Prevalence of Trachoma in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia: Results of 11 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys Completed as Part of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project

Sherief

Gigar

et al. 2016

Purpose: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of trachoma in each district (“woreda”) of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted 11 cross-sectional community-based surveys in evaluation units covering 34 rural woredas from January to March 2013 using the standardized methodology developed for the Global Trachoma Mapping Project. Results: Teams visited 8034 households in 275 villages. A total of 28,581 consenting individuals were examined, 16,163 (56.7%) of whom were female. The region-wide adjusted trichiasis prevalence was 1.7% in those aged 15 years and older. All evaluation units mapped had a trichiasis prevalence over the World Health Organization elimination threshold of 0.2% in people aged 15 years and older. The region-wide adjusted prevalence of the clinical sign trachomatous inflammation – follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years was 26.1%. A total 10 evaluation units, covering 31 woredas, with a combined rural population of 4.3 million inhabitants, had a prevalence of TF ≥10%, and require full implementation of the SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement) for at least 3 years before impact surveys are undertaken. Of these, four evaluation units, covering 12 woredas, with a combined rural population of 1.7 million inhabitants, had a TF prevalence ≥30%. Conclusion: Both active trachoma and trichiasis are public health problems in Tigray, which needs urgent implementation of the full SAFE strategy.