1. Trachoma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Results of 46 Baseline Prevalence Surveys Conducted with the Global Trachoma Mapping Project
- Author
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Janvier Kilangalanga, Jean Marie Ndjemba, Pitchouna A. Uvon, Felix M. Kibangala, Jean-Lebone Safari B. Mwandulo, Nicaise Mavula, Martin Ndombe, Junior Kazadi, Henry Limbaka, Daniel Cohn, Jean-Jacques Tougoue, Achille Kabore, Lisa Rotondo, Rebecca Willis, Amadou Alfa Bio, Boubacar Kadri, Ana Bakhtiari, Jeremiah M. Ngondi, Anthony W. Solomon, and null for the Global Trachoma Mapping Pro
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Male ,Epidemiology ,Cross-sectional study ,Eye Infections ,Global Trachoma Mapping Project ,Baseline survey ,Eye Infections, Bacterial ,0302 clinical medicine ,Prevalence ,Child ,Bacterial ,Safe strategy ,3. Good health ,trichiasis ,Infectious Diseases ,Clean Water and Sanitation ,Trachoma ,Child, Preschool ,Public Health and Health Services ,Democratic Republic of the Congo ,Female ,Public Health ,SAFE strategy ,Pediatric Research Initiative ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Clinical Sciences ,030231 tropical medicine ,03 medical and health sciences ,Clinical Research ,Opthalmology and Optometry ,Environmental health ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Humans ,Preschool ,Baseline (configuration management) ,Trichiasis ,business.industry ,Public health ,Infant ,Original Articles ,medicine.disease ,Health Surveys ,eye diseases ,Ophthalmology ,Good Health and Well Being ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,030221 ophthalmology & optometry ,Optometry ,business - Abstract
Purpose: Trachoma was suspected to be endemic in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We aimed to estimate prevalences of trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF), trichiasis, and water and sanitation (WASH) indicators in suspected-endemic Health Zones. Methods: A population-based prevalence survey was undertaken in each of 46 Health Zones across nine provinces of DRC, using Global Trachoma Mapping Project methods. A two-stage cluster random sampling design was used in each Health Zone, whereby 25 villages (clusters) and 30 households per cluster were sampled. Consenting eligible participants (children aged 1–9 years and adults aged ≥15 years) were examined for trachoma by GTMP-certified graders; households were assessed for access to WASH. Results: A total of 32,758 households were surveyed, and 141,853 participants (98.2% of those enumerated) were examined for trachoma. Health Zone-level TF prevalence in 1–9-year-olds ranged from 1.9–41.6%. Among people aged ≥15 years, trichiasis prevalences ranged from 0.02–5.1% (95% CI 3.3–6.8). TF prevalence in 1–9-year-olds was ≥5% in 30 Health Zones, while trichiasis prevalence was ≥0.2% in 37 Health Zones. Conclusion: Trachoma is a public health problem in 39 of 46 Health Zones surveyed. To meet elimination targets, 37 Health Zones require expanded trichiasis surgery services while 30 health zones require antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement interventions. Survey data suggest that trachoma is widespread: further surveys are warranted.
- Published
- 2017
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