Prevalence of Trachoma in the Far North Region of Cameroon: Results of a Survey in 27 Health Districts

Abstract

BackgroundCameroon is known to be endemic with trachoma. To appreciate the burden of the disease and facilitate the national planning of trachoma control in the integrated control program for the neglected tropical diseases, an epidemiological mapping of trachoma was conducted in the Far North region in 2010–11.MethodologyA cross-sectional, cluster random sampling survey was carried out. The survey focused on two target populations: children aged 1 to 9 years for the prevalence of active trachoma and those aged 15 and over for the prevalence of trichiasis (TT). The sample frame was an exhaustive list of villages and neighborhoods of Health Districts (HDs). The World Health Organization simplified trachoma grading system was used for the recognition and registration of cases of trachoma.Principal Findings48,844 children aged 1 to 9 years and 41,533 people aged 15 and over were examined. In children aged 1–9 years, the overall prevalence of trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF) was 11.2% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 11.0–11.5%). More girls were affected than boys (p = 0.003). Thirteen (13) of 27 HDs in the region showed TF prevalence of ≥10%. The overall TT prevalence was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.9–1.1%). There were estimated 17193 (95% CI: 12576–25860) TT cases in the region. The prevalence of blindness was 0.04% (95% CI: 0.03–0.07%) and visual impairment was 0.09% (95% CI: 0.07–0.13%).Conclusions/SignificanceThe survey confirmed that trachoma is a public health problem in the Far North region with 13 HDs qualified for district-level mass drug administration with azithromycin. It provided a foundation for the national program to plan and implement the SAFE strategy in the region. Effort must be made to find resources to provide the surgical operations to the 17193 TT cases and prevent them from becoming blind.

Prevalence of Trachoma in Jigawa State, Northwestern Nigeria

“…There was a statistically significant difference in prevalence between the sexes, with females having a higher prevalence than males. A similar pattern has also been corroborated by other studies, 2,11,12,16,[18][19][20]25 and may be due to reasons mentioned earlier. With the high TT prevalence and low trichiasis surgery coverage observed in this study, there is a need for a more aggressive trichiasis surgery intervention to eliminate blinding trachoma (reduction to 51 TT/ 1000 population).…”

Prevalence of Trachoma in the North Region of Cameroon: Results of a Survey in 15 Health Districts

“…In Chad, TF prevalence of 31.5% in children under 10 years of age was reported [21]. The previous surveys in the Far North region showed TF prevalence of between 0 to 42.5%, and the overall prevalence of TF found in this survey is lower than that found in the Far North region [7], [8]. It is also lower than the results from the surrounding countries, such as in Chad, Niger and Nigeria [18], [21], [22].…”

“…Poli district was the only HD with a prevalence of TT≥1%. This was lower than the prevalence of TT found in the Far North Region (1%) [7], [8], and in Chad where the prevalence of TT was 1.5% in women aged 14 and above [21]. In Katsina state of Nigeria the prevalence of TT in adults aged 15 years and above ranged from 2.3 to 8.0% [18].…”

“…In Cameroon, two previous surveys have showed that trachoma is a public health issue in the Far North Region [7], [8]; the North Region share common feature of poverty, dryness, dusty environment and poor sanitation with the Far North Region [9].…”

Prevalence of Active Trachoma and Its Associated Factors among Rural and Urban Children in Dera Woreda, Northwest Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

“…In Gambia there was 98% latrine access, 97% of them had disposal pit, and 93% of households move less than 30 minutes to get water. In Cameroon there was high coverage of mass drug administration [ 7 , 8 , 18 , 19 ]. However, this finding was found to be lower as compared to African studies conducted in Nigeria (37.7%) and Niger (23.4%) [ 9 , 20 ].…”