Trachoma: Looking Forward to Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (Get 2020)

Abstract

There is fortunately increasing international awareness of the problem of needless blindness from trachoma and enhanced international cooperation. This is exemplified by the World Health Organization Alliance for the Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma by 2020 (GET 2020), the World Health Assembly resolution 51.11, 1998, and the inclusion of trachoma as a priority under the disease control component of the Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness, Vision 2020-the Right to Sight. Evidence-based advances in knowledge and intervention strategies together with the additional financial resources now available offer opportunities for a concerted effort to control and eliminate blinding trachoma, long before the year 2020, in most countries.

Importance of Including Borderline Cases in Trachoma Grader Certification

“…1 Trachoma programs prioritize treatment areas by clinical grades, and the WHO's Ultimate Intervention Goals (UIGs) assess grades when determining trachoma elimination as a public health problem. 2,3 Individual-and community-randomized clinical trials have typically had clinical exam as primary or secondary outcomes. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Unfortunately, grading of clinical trachoma can have considerable variability.…”

Trachoma control in two Central Australian Aboriginal communities: a case study

“…Briefly, these practices include: (1) washing people, (2) washing clothes and bedding, (3) removing waste safely, (4) improving nutrition, (5) reducing crowding, (6) reducing negative contact between people and animals, vermin or insects, (7) reducing the negative impact of dust, (8) controlling temperature of the living environment, and (9) reducing trauma around the house and living environment. Environmental interventions consisted of road sealing; the replacement of poorly built or maintained houses with appropriately designed houses; biweekly trash collection; repair of heating/cooling systems; upgrades in sewerage and water lines; installation of rainwater tanks; house yard fences bordering roads; planting of trees, grass, and native plants in areas where wind and dust were prevalent; earthworks and diversions to create micro-catchments and water ponding; and installation of drinking-water fountains in the school and health clinic.…”

“…In 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched Vision 2020, a global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness by the year 2020, which includes the elimination of trachoma [7], and an integrated primary health approach, known as the SAFE strategy [8]. Where trachoma is endemic, antibiotic treatment is necessary to provide short-term relief and to reduce the reservoir of C. trachomatis in the community [9].…”

Determinants of Eye Lid Surgical Care Utilization among Trachomatous Trichiasis Patients in Rural Communities: In the Case of Basoliben District, North West Ethiopia

“…In Ethiopia antibiotics distribution would takes place by using the existing health infrastructures, which is through villages' health extension workers, community health volunteers, field supervisors all are implementers responsible to address all community members to take the antibiotics during the distribution campaign [6]. During surgery and antibiotics distribution campaigns health extension workers play a key role in social mobilization to advocate the benefits of treatment with those at risk of trachoma infection or blindness from trichiasis [18,19].…”