Prevalence of Trachoma after Implementation of Trachoma Elimination Interventions in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: Results of Impact Surveys in 131 Evaluation Units Covering 139 Districts

Abstract

Purpose To determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF), trachomatous trichiasis (TT), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access in 131 evaluation units (EUs) after implementation of trachoma elimination interventions in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Methodology A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each EU using the World Health Organization-recommended two-stage cluster-sampling methodology. Twenty-six clusters, each with a mean of 30 households were enumerated in each EU. All residents aged ≥1 year in selected households were examined for TF and TT. Information on WASH access in surveyed households was also collected through questioning the household head and direct observation. Results A total of 419,858 individuals were enumerated in 131 EUs, of whom 396,134 (94%) were examined, 54% being female. Age-adjusted EU-level prevalence of TF in children aged 1–9 years ranged from 0.15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0–0.4) to 37.5% (95% CI: 31.1–43.7). The TF prevalence was <5% in 73/131 (56%) EUs. The EU-level age- and gender-adjusted prevalence of TT unknown to the health system among people aged ≥15 years ranged from 0.001% (95% CI: 0.00–0.02) to 2.2% (95% CI: 1.1–3.1) with 37/131 (28%) EUs having a prevalence <0.2%. Only 48% of all households surveyed had access to improved water sources for drinking. Approximately 96% of households did not have an improved latrine. Conclusion Oromia is on the path towards elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.

Prevalence of Trachoma in Pre-validation Surveillance Surveys in 11 Evaluation Units (Covering 12 Districts) in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: Results from 2018−2020

“…14 At impact survey, all 11 EUs described in this manuscript had TF prevalence <5%. 30 However, by the time of the surveillance surveys reported here, two years after MDA was stopped, only three EUs (Aleltu, Kimbibit and Gechi) had maintained TF <5%. The prevalence of TF was in the 5.0−9.9% range in six EUs, and >10-29.9% in two EUs.…”

Prevalence of trachoma in Somali region, Ethiopia: results from trachoma impact surveys in 50 woredas

“…This is pleasing: although reducing TF prevalence (and thereby reducing the risk of future trachomatous blindness by minimizing the deposition of conjunctival scar) is the desired outcome, the impact of MDA in Ethiopia has been more variable than elsewhere in Africa. 20–22 Reasons for the relative success in Somali region could include good MDA coverage, low trachoma prevalence at baseline, 6 or other factors. Further research would be required to understand the likely explanation with any confidence.…”