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

Abstract

BackgroundTo estimate the prevalence of trachoma in the North Region of Cameroon in order to facilitate the planning of trachoma control activities in this region, a survey was carried out in 2011 and 2012 in 15 health districts (HDs).MethodologyA cross-sectional, two-stage cluster random sampling survey was carried out. The survey focused on two target populations: children aged 1 to 9 years for the prevalence of Trachomatous Inflammation-Follicular (TF) and those aged 15 and over for the prevalence of Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT). The sample frame was an exhaustive list of villages and neighborhoods of HDs. The World Health Organization simplified trachoma grading system was used for the recognition and registration of cases of trachoma.Principal Findings30,562 children aged 1 to 9 years and 24,864 people aged 15 and above were examined. In children aged 1–9 years, the overall prevalence of TF was 4.2% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.0–4.5%). Three (3) of 15 HDs in the region showed TF prevalence of ≥10% (Poli, Rey Bouba, and Tcholliré). The overall TT prevalence was 0.25% (95% CI: 0.20–0.33%). There were estimated 1265 TT cases in the region. The prevalence of blindness was 0.01% (95% CI: 0.00–0.03%), low vision was 0.11% (95% CI: 0.07–0.17%), and corneal opacity was 0.22% (95% CI: 0.17–0.29%).Conclusions/SignificanceThis survey provides baseline data for the planning of activities to control trachoma in the region. The overall prevalence of TF in the region is 4.2%, and that of TT is 0.2%; three HDs have a TF prevalence ≥10%. These three HDs are eligible for mass drug administration with azythromycin, along with the implementation of the “F” and “E” components of the SAFE strategy.

Baseline Prevalence of Trachoma in 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, North East Nigeria

“…According to current guidelines, no LGA in the State requires mass drug administration (MDA) of antibiotics for trachoma elimination. 5 This is comparable to findings reported in neighbouring Gombe State, 10 where none of the 11 LGAs surveyed required antibiotic MDA; Taraba State, 9 where only one out of 13 surveyed LGAs required antibiotic MDA; and Northern Cameroon, 11 where only 3 of 15 surveyed health districts required antibiotic MDA for trachoma elimination purposes. However, Madagali LGA does border some suspected endemic LGAs in Borno State, in addition to some previously trachoma-endemic districts in Cameroon, and therefore cross-border partnership is important to maintain these LGAs below the elimination prevalence threshold.…”

“…Surrounding administrative areas in both Nigeria and Cameroon had previously been mapped and documented to have trachoma requiring interventions. [9][10][11][12] This study sought to determine the LGA-level prevalence of TF and TT in Adamawa so that the government and its partners could determine whether a trachoma elimination program would be required. Additionally, given the association between ocular Chlamydia trachomatis transmission intensity and (a) limited access to water for hygiene purposes 13 and (b) increased availability of breeding sites for the humanfaeces-breeding trachoma vector Musca sorbens, [14][15][16] household-level access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities was also assessed.…”

Untreated villages and factors associated with the absence of Community-Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) in DRC

“…[6,7]. Onchocerciasis compared to trachoma which is also one of the neglected tropical infectious diseases and the leading cause of preventable blindness, affects 21.4 million people of whom about 2.2 million are visually impaired and 1.2 million are blind [8,9]. Currently, it is responsible, for more than 3% of the world's blindness, however, that figure keeps changing due to the socioeconomic development effect and current control programs for this disease.…”

“…At a recent WHO meeting it was estimated that trachoma is endemic in 55 countries, mainly in Africa and Asia. [8,9].…”

Global progress toward the elimination of active trachoma: an analysis of 38 countries

“…Countries were assigned into geographical groups (table). To avoid a sparsely filled central Africa geographical group, countries in central Africa were split between the southern Africa (Burundi, Central African Republic, and DR Congo), western Africa (Cameroon 17,18 ), and eastern Africa (Chad) groups.…”