Factors associated with trachoma treatment and control treatment in schools of municipality of the Northeast Region, Brazil. / Fatores associados ao tratamento e ao controle do tratamento do tracoma em escolares de município da Região Nordeste, Brasil.

INTRODUCTION: Trachoma maintains itself as a public health problem and an important cause of morbidity, visual impairment and preventable blindness in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with treatment and control of trachoma treatment in schoolchildren diagnosed during the national campaign in 2014, in the town of Russas, Ceará. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was brought out from January to April 2016. Social, demographic, economic and follow-up data were collected for 390 schoolchildren aged five to 14 years old, diagnosed with trachoma in the campaign in 2014. They were defined dependent variables: trachoma treatment and control of trachoma disease, categorized as adequate and inadequate, and multivariate analyzes were performed. RESULTS: Treatment was considered adequate in 56.7% of schoolchildren and in only 5.9% treatment control was classified as adequate. In the multivariate analysis, they have got an association with the trachoma treatment result: rural residence zone and waste destination in a non-public space. The last control of the treatment of trachoma remained associated to the variables: rural residence zone; family income less than a minimum wage and school not examined by the physician. CONCLUSION: Inadequate treatment and control of trachoma treatment showed an association with socioeconomic variables and follow-up of primary care. Health education activities were not accessible to the entire community, indicating the need for more involvement by primary care professionals.

INTRODUÇÃO: O tracoma mantém-se como problema de saúde pública e importante causa de morbidade, deficiência visual e cegueira evitável no Brasil. OBJETIVO: Analisar fatores associados ao tratamento e ao controle do tratamento do tracoma em escolares diagnosticados durante Campanha Nacional de Hanseníase, Verminoses, Tracoma e Esquistossomose, em 2014, no município de Russas, Ceará. METODOLOGIA: Estudo transversal desenvolvido de janeiro a abril de 2016. Foram coletados dados sociais, demográficos, econômicos e de acompanhamento pela atenção básica de 390 escolares de 5 a 14 anos de idade diagnosticados com tracoma, na campanha em 2014. Definiram-se as variáveis dependentes: tratamento do tracoma e controle do tratamento do tracoma, categorizadas em adequado e inadequado, realizando-se análises bi e multivariada. RESULTADOS: O tratamento foi considerado adequado em 56,7% dos escolares, e em apenas 5,9% o controle do tratamento foi classificado como adequado. Na análise multivariada, mantiveram associação com o desfecho tratamento do tracoma as variáveis zona de residência rural e destino dos dejetos em rede não pública. O desfecho controle do tratamento do tracoma permaneceu associado às variáveis: zona de residência rural, renda familiar menor que um salário mínimo e escolar não examinado pelo médico. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento e controle do tratamento inadequados do tracoma mostraram associação com variáveis socioeconômicas e de acompanhamento pela atenção básica. As atividades de educação em saúde não foram acessíveis a toda a comunidade, indicando a necessidade de maior envolvimento dos profissionais da atenção básica.

Francis I. Proctor, MD and his wife Elizabeth C. Proctor: Their lives and legacy.

The Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology is internationally recognized for its research in the fields of ocular inflammatory and infectious diseases. Although the name of one of its founders, Francis I. Proctor, MD (1864-1936) is memorialized, the legacy of his wife, Elizabeth C. Proctor (1882-1975) is not as well known. They were both full partners in this endeavor. Francis, a successful and wealthy ophthalmologist, retired to Santa Fe, New Mexico. After their marriage, they became interested in the problem of blinding trachoma, then an endemic problem on the Native American Indian reservations. The couple selected Phillips Thygeson, MD (1903-2002), a young ophthalmologist with an interest in infectious diseases, as their lead investigator. Using their own funds, the Proctors paid for Thygeson and themselves to study trachoma in Egypt, and then establish a trachoma research laboratory in Arizona where the causative agent of trachoma was identified. Not only did the Proctors fund these studies, they also studied bacteriology so they could help in the laboratory themselves. After Francis' death, Elizabeth endowed the Foundation in 1947 and continued to support it. She also established the Proctor Medal for The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Fatores associados ao tratamento e ao controle do tratamento do tracoma em escolares de município da Região Nordeste, Brasil / Factors associated with trachoma treatment and control treatment in schools of municipality of the Northeast Region, Brazil

RESUMO: Introdução: O tracoma mantém-se como problema de saúde pública e importante causa de morbidade, deficiência visual e cegueira evitável no Brasil. Objetivo: Analisar fatores associados ao tratamento e ao controle do tratamento do tracoma em escolares diagnosticados durante Campanha Nacional de Hanseníase, Verminoses, Tracoma e Esquistossomose, em 2014, no município de Russas, Ceará. Metodologia: Estudo transversal desenvolvido de janeiro a abril de 2016. Foram coletados dados sociais, demográficos, econômicos e de acompanhamento pela atenção básica de 390 escolares de 5 a 14 anos de idade diagnosticados com tracoma, na campanha em 2014. Definiram-se as variáveis dependentes: tratamento do tracoma e controle do tratamento do tracoma, categorizadas em adequado e inadequado, realizando-se análises bi e multivariada. Resultados: O tratamento foi considerado adequado em 56,7% dos escolares, e em apenas 5,9% o controle do tratamento foi classificado como adequado. Na análise multivariada, mantiveram associação com o desfecho tratamento do tracoma as variáveis zona de residência rural e destino dos dejetos em rede não pública. O desfecho controle do tratamento do tracoma permaneceu associado às variáveis: zona de residência rural, renda familiar menor que um salário mínimo e escolar não examinado pelo médico. Conclusão: O tratamento e controle do tratamento inadequados do tracoma mostraram associação com variáveis socioeconômicas e de acompanhamento pela atenção básica. As atividades de educação em saúde não foram acessíveis a toda a comunidade, indicando a necessidade de maior envolvimento dos profissionais da atenção básica.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Trachoma maintains itself as a public health problem and an important cause of morbidity, visual impairment and preventable blindness in Brazil. Objective: To analyze factors associated with treatment and control of trachoma treatment in schoolchildren diagnosed during the national campaign in 2014, in the town of Russas, Ceará. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was brought out from January to April 2016. Social, demographic, economic and follow-up data were collected for 390 schoolchildren aged five to 14 years old, diagnosed with trachoma in the campaign in 2014. They were defined dependent variables: trachoma treatment and control of trachoma disease, categorized as adequate and inadequate, and multivariate analyzes were performed. Results: Treatment was considered adequate in 56.7% of schoolchildren and in only 5.9% treatment control was classified as adequate. In the multivariate analysis, they have got an association with the trachoma treatment result: rural residence zone and waste destination in a non-public space. The last control of the treatment of trachoma remained associated to the variables: rural residence zone; family income less than a minimum wage and school not examined by the physician. Conclusion: Inadequate treatment and control of trachoma treatment showed an association with socioeconomic variables and follow-up of primary care. Health education activities were not accessible to the entire community, indicating the need for more involvement by primary care professionals.

Perceptions and practices of community members relating to trachoma in Africa: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize and present the best available evidence on community perceptions and practices relating to trachoma in Africa. INTRODUCTION: Globally, trachoma is the leading cause of blindness and is responsible for about 1.4% of all cases of blindness. The African continent is the worst affected, with about 1.9 million cases of trichiasis (61%). While interventions are currently being implemented to combat the disease in Africa, very little is known by decision makers about community perceptions and practices relating to trachoma, which may hinder successful implementation. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Studies with participants, regardless of their health status, gender, religion and ethnicity, aged 14 and over conducted in any African country, will be considered. Studies on Africans, conducted out of the continent and those involving healthcare professionals, will not be included in this review. METHODS: Qualitative studies, published in English from 1996 onwards. will be considered. Databases to be searched will include, but not be limited to: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and PsycINFO. Study selection, critical appraisal and data extraction will be conducted by two independent reviewers, using the appropriate JBI methodology and any disagreement will be resolved by discussion or with a third reviewer. Qualitative findings will be synthesized using the appropriate JBI methodology, following the meta-aggregation approach. Where textual pooling is not possible, the findings will be presented in narrative form. The ConQual approach will be used to grade synthesized findings, and these will be presented in a Summary of Findings.

Trachoma elimination, approaching 2020.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review current practices for trachoma treatment with a focus on recent studies, particularly those discussing trachoma trichiasis surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Azithromycin eye drops twice daily for 3 days may be as efficient as oral azithromycin in treating active trachoma. Facial cleanliness and environmental improvement programming should employ a variety of behavior change techniques to give sustained improvements. Posterior lamellar tarsal rotation carries a lower risk for trichiasis recurrence and is more effective in severe trachoma trichiasis than bilamellar tarsal rotation. Tarsoconjunctival incision can play a pivotal role in trichiaisis recurrence. Tarsus-sparing procedures continue to be refined with good success rates. Concurrent correction of lid abnormalities that commonly occur with trachoma trichiasis may maximize the result of surgery. SUMMARY: Better understanding of the pathophysiology of trachoma and postoperative trichiasis recurrence is critical for effective trachoma control. Progressive tarsoconjunctival scarring in trachoma and high recurrence rates following tarsal rotation procedures raise the importance of adopting a procedure that spares tarsus/conjunctiva.

Eyelash Epilation in the Absence of Trichiasis: Results of a Population-Based Prevalence Survey in the Western Division of Fiji.

BACKGROUND: The WHO definition of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) is "at least one eyelash touching the globe, or evidence of recent epilation of in-turned eyelashes", reflecting the fact that epilation is used as a self-management tool for TT. In Fiji's Western Division, a high TT prevalence (8.7% in those aged ≥15 years) was reported in a 2012 survey, yet a 2013 survey found no TT and Fijian ophthalmologists rarely see TT cases. Local anecdote suggests that eyelash epilation is a common behaviour, even in the absence of trichiasis. Epilators may have been identified as TT cases in previous surveys. METHODS: We used a preliminary focus group to design an interview questionnaire, and subsequently conducted a population-based prevalence survey to estimate the prevalence of epilation in the absence of trichiasis, and factors associated with this behaviour, in the Western Division of Fiji. RESULTS: We sampled 695 individuals aged ≥15 years from a total of 457 households in 23 villages. 125 participants (18%) reported epilating their eyelashes at least once within the past year. Photographs were obtained of the eyes of 121/125 (97%) individuals who epilated, and subsequent analysis by an experienced trachoma grader found no cases of trachomatous conjunctival scarring or trichiasis. The age- and sex- adjusted prevalence of epilation in those aged ≥15 years was 8.6% (95% CI 5.7-11.3%). iTaukei ethnicity, female gender, and a higher frequency of drinking kava root were independently associated with epilation. CONCLUSION: Epilation occurs in this population in the absence of trichiasis, with sufficient frequency to have markedly inflated previous estimates of local TT prevalence. Individuals with epilated eyelashes should be confirmed as having epilated in-turned eyelashes in an eye with scarring of the conjunctiva before being counted as cases of TT.

Aspectos epidemiológicos y opciones de tratamiento para las complicaciones oftalmológicas de las enfermedades mucosinequiantes / Epidemiology and treatment options for ophthalmic complications of mucosinequiant diseases

Introducción: Las enfermedades mucosinequiantes son aquellas que afectan piel y mucosas con lesiones vesículo-ampollar, generalmente son bilaterales y se caracterizan por distorsionar la anatomía de la conjuntiva, párpados, vías lagrimales y universalmente conducen a queratoconjuntivitis seca. Objetivo: Actualizar aspectos epidemiológicos y opciones de tratamiento para las complicaciones oftalmológicas de las enfermedades mucosinequiantes. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sobre aspectos conceptuales, clasificación, etiopatogenia, epidemiología, cuadro clínico, complicaciones y tratamiento oftalmológico de las enfermedades mucosinequiantes en la literatura impresa y en soporte digital disponible. Utilizamos para la búsqueda electrónica bases de datos como PubMed, BioMed Central y SCIELO, abarcando varios años hasta el presente. Abordamos enfermedades como Tracoma, Penfigoide cicatrizal, Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson y Conjuntivitis leñosa, por ser de las enfermedades mucosinequiantes las que mayor compromiso conjuntival presentan.Resultados: Las enfermedades mucosinequiantes producen cicatrización conjuntival y graves complicaciones oftalmológicas que pueden comprometer la visión hasta llegar a la ceguera. Conclusiones: Las enfermedades mucosinequiantes son causa frecuente de morbilidad ocular por el severo daño que ocasionan a la superficie ocular. El uso de injerto de membrana amniótica, mucosa bucal y trasplante de células madre del limbo córneo conjuntival son opciones utilizadas con buenos resultados en el tratamiento de las complicaciones oftalmológicas de estas enfermedades(AU)

Introduction: mucosinequiant diseases are those that affect skin and mucosa with blister-vesicular wounds, they are usually bilateral and are characterized by distorting the conjunctival anatomy, eyelids, lachrymal way and that universally lead to a dry keratoconjunctivitis. Objective: to update epidemiological issues and treatment options for ophthalmic complications of mucosinequiant diseases. Material and Methods: a literature review on conceptual issues, classification, etiopathology, epidemiology, clinical manifestation, complications and treatment of mucosinequiant ophthalmological diseases available in hard copies and digital support was made. To search, we used electronic databases such as PubMed, Central BioMed and SCIELO, extending over several years to the present. We deal with diseases such as trachoma, cicatricial pemphigoid, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and woody conjunctivitis, because mucosinequiant diseases are those which present greater conjunctival compromise. Results: mucosinequiant cause conjunctival cicatrization and serious ophthalmologic complications that could compromise vision up to blindness. Conclusions: mucosinequiant diseases are a frequent cause of ocular morbidity causing severe damage to the ocular surface. The use of amniotic membrane graft, oral mucosa and corneal conjunctival limbus stem cell transplant are used options with good results in the treatment of ophthalmic complications of these diseases(AU)

Trachoma.

INTRODUCTION: Active trachoma is caused by chronic infection of the conjunctiva by Chlamydia trachomatis, and is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness. Infection can lead to: scarring of the tarsal conjunctiva; inversion of the eyelashes (trichiasis), so that they abrade the cornea; and corneal opacity, resulting in blindness. Trachoma is a disease of poverty, overcrowding, and poor sanitation. Active disease affects mainly children, but adults are at increased risk of scarring. METHODS AND OUTCOMES: We conducted a systematic overview, aiming to answer the following clinical question: What are the effects of interventions to prevent scarring trachoma by reducing the prevalence of active trachoma? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to December 2014 (Clinical Evidence overviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this overview). RESULTS: At this update, searching of electronic databases retrieved 170 studies. After deduplication and removal of conference abstracts, 96 records were screened for inclusion in the overview. Appraisal of titles and abstracts led to the exclusion of 61 studies and the further review of 35 full publications. Of the 35 full articles evaluated, three previously included systematic reviews were updated, one systematic review and two RCTs were added at this update, and two RCTs and one further report were added the Comment sections. We performed a GRADE evaluation for nine PICO combinations. CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic overview, we categorised the efficacy for seven interventions based on information about the effectiveness and safety of antibiotics, face washing (alone or plus topical tetracycline), fly control (through the provision of pit latrines, and using insecticide alone or plus antibiotics), and health education.

Interventions for trachoma trichiasis.

BACKGROUND: Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends eliminating trachomatous blindness through the SAFE strategy: Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotic treatment, Facial cleanliness and Environmental hygiene. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2003, and previously updated in 2006. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of interventions for trachomatous trichiasis for people living in endemic settings. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register) (2015, Issue 4), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE (January 1946 to May 2015), EMBASE (January 1980 to May 2015), the ISRCTN registry (www.isrctn.com/editAdvancedSearch), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 7 May 2015. We searched the reference lists of included studies to identify further potentially relevant studies. We also contacted authors for details of other relevant studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised trials of any intervention intended to treat trachomatous trichiasis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three review authors independently selected and assessed the trials, including the risk of bias. We contacted trial authors for missing data when necessary. Our primary outcome was post-operative trichiasis which was defined as any lash touching the globe at three months, one year or two years after surgery. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria with 8586 participants. Most of the studies were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of the studies were of a low or unclear risk of bias.Five studies compared different surgical interventions. Most surgical interventions were performed by non-physician technicians. These trials suggest the most effective surgery is full-thickness incision of the tarsal plate and rotation of the terminal tarsal strip. Pooled data from two studies suggested that the bilamellar rotation was more effective than unilamellar rotation (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.50). Use of a lid clamp reduced lid contour abnormalities (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.98) and granuloma formation (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.97). Absorbable sutures gave comparable outcomes to silk sutures (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.20) and were associated with less frequent granuloma formation (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.99). Epilation was less effective at preventing eyelashes from touching the globe than surgery for mild trichiasis, but had comparable results for vision and corneal change. Peri-operative azithromycin reduced post-operative trichiasis; however, the estimate of effect was imprecise and compatible with no effect or increased trichiasis (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.14; 1954 eyes; 3 studies). Community-based surgery when compared to health centres increased uptake with comparable outcomes. Surgery performed by ophthalmologists and integrated eye care workers was comparable. Adverse events were typically infrequent or mild and included rare postoperative infections, eyelid contour abnormalities and conjunctival granulomas. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: No trials were designed to evaluate whether the interventions for trichiasis prevent blindness as an outcome; however, several found modest improvement in vision following intervention. Certain interventions have been shown to be more effective at eliminating trichiasis. Full-thickness incision of the tarsal plate and rotation of the lash-bearing lid margin was found to be the best technique and is preferably delivered in the community. Surgery may be carried out by an ophthalmologist or a trained ophthalmic assistant. Surgery performed with silk or absorbable sutures gave comparable results. Post-operative azithromycin was found to improve outcomes where overall recurrence was low.

Epilation for minor trachomatous trichiasis: four-year results of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) needs to be managed to reduce the risk of vision loss. The long-term impact of epilation (a common traditional practice of repeated plucking of lashes touching the eye) in preventing visual impairment and corneal opacity from TT is unknown. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of epilation versus surgery for the management of minor TT (fewer than six lashes touching the eye) in Ethiopia. Here we report the four-year outcome and the effect on vision and corneal opacity. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 1300 individuals with minor TT were recruited and randomly assigned to quality trichiasis surgery or repeated epilation using high quality epilation forceps by a trained person with good near vision. Participants were examined six-monthly for two-years, and then at four-years after randomisation. At two-years all epilation arm participants were offered free surgery. At four-years 1151 (88.5%) were re-examined: 572 (88%) and 579 (89%) from epilation and surgery arms, respectively. At that time, 21.1% of the surgery arm participants had recurrent TT; 189/572 (33%) of the epilation arm had received surgery, while 383 (67%) declined surgery and had continued epilating ("epilation-only"). Among the epilation-only group, 207 (54.1%) fully controlled their TT, 166 (43.3%) had minor TT and 10 (2.6%) had major TT (>5 lashes). There were no differences between participants in the epilation-only, epilation-to-surgery and surgery arm participants in changes in visual acuity and corneal opacity between baseline and four-years. CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE: Most minor TT participants randomised to the epilation arm continued epilating and controlled their TT. Change in vision and corneal opacity was comparable between surgery and epilation-only participants. This suggests that good quality epilation with regular follow-up is a reasonable second-line alternative to surgery for minor TT for individuals who either decline surgery or do not have immediate access to surgical treatment.

Situação epidemiológica do tracoma entre estudantes da rede pública de municípios do Piauí / Epidemiological situation of trachoma among students from public Piaui municipalities

O tracoma é uma afecção inflamatória ocular, bilateral e recidivante causada pela Chlamydia trachomatis. Casos de cegueira por esta doença estão relacionados a precárias condições de vida, afetando as pessoas de baixa renda que vivem preferencialmente em zonas rurais. Objetivos: Descrever os casos de tracoma diagnosticados em inquéritos epidemiológicos em escolares do Piauí no período de 2007 a 2013. Métodos: estudo descritivo realizado por meio de dados secundários de acesso restrito dos casos de Tracoma diagnosticados em inquéritos epidemiológicos em escolares no estado do Piauí de 2007 até 2013. Resultados: o percentual (por cento) de tracoma no Piauí foi 2,6 por cento; e 50,4 por cento dos casos eram do sexo feminino. Já faixa etária mais acometida foi entre 1 e 9 anos de idade (89,3 por cento). Em relação à zona de moradia 68,3 por cento residiam em zona rural. Houve percentual maior das formas mais brandas da doença, o tracoma inflamatório folicular (71,21 por cento), seguido da forma tracoma inflamatório intenso (27,70 por cento). Não foram encontrados casos da forma mais grave da doença. Conclusão: a situação de percentual de tracoma em escolares no Piauí foi das formas brandas que são tracoma inflamatório folicular e tracoma inflamatório intenso; adoção de medidas de prevenção e controle capacitação profissionais da área de saúde para detecção e realização de outros estudos em regiões semelhantes aos do inquérito e que ainda não foram avaliadas no estado em busca de novos e possíveis focos da doença...

Trachoma is an eye inflammatory disease, bilateral and recurrent caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Cases of blindness from this disease are related to poor living conditions, affecting low-income people who live preferably in rural areas. Objectives: To describe the cases of trachoma diagnosed in epidemiological surveys in Piauí the school from 2007 to 2013. Methods: A descriptive study using secondary data restricted cases of trachoma diagnosed in epidemiological surveys with schoolchildren in Piauí State 2007 to 2013. Results: the percentage (percent) of trachoma in Piaui was 2.6 percent; and 50.4 percent of cases were female. Already most affected age group was between 1 and 9 years old (89.3 percent). In relation to housing zone 68,3 percent lived in rural areas. There was a higher percentage of the milder forms of the disease, follicular inflammatory trachoma (71,21 percent), followed by the form intense inflammatory trachoma (27,70 percent). There were no cases of the more severe form of the disease. Conclusion: the situation of trachoma percentage in school in Piauí was the milder forms that are follicular inflammatory trachoma and intense inflammatory trachoma; adoption professionals prevention and control capacity building measures of health to detect and carry out further studies in areas similar to the investigation and not yet evaluated in the state in search of new and potential outbreaks of disease...

Trachoma.

Trachoma is the most common infectious cause of blindness. Repeated episodes of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in childhood lead to severe conjunctival inflammation, scarring, and potentially blinding inturned eyelashes (trichiasis or entropion) in later life. Trachoma occurs in resource-poor areas with inadequate hygiene, where children with unclean faces share infected ocular secretions. Much has been learnt about the epidemiology and pathophysiology of trachoma. Integrated control programmes are implementing the SAFE Strategy: surgery for trichiasis, mass distribution of antibiotics, promotion of facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement. This strategy has successfully eliminated trachoma in several countries and global efforts are underway to eliminate blinding trachoma worldwide by 2020.

Australian trachoma surveillance annual report, 2011.

Australia remains the only developed country to have endemic trachoma in some regions. Endemic levels of trachoma in Australia are found predominantly in remote and very remote Aboriginal communities. Data are collected from Aboriginal communities designated at risk for endemic trachoma (defined as a prevalence of 5% or greater among children) in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. This report presents data collected in 2011. The World Health Organization (WHO) grading criteria were used to diagnose cases of trachoma in Aboriginal children with jurisdictions focusing screening activities on the 5-9 year age group. The prevalence of trachoma within a community was used to guide appropriate treatment strategies as a public health response. Aboriginal adults aged 40 years or older were screened for trichiasis. Population screening coverage for trichiasis in 2011 was 9% with a prevalence of 2% in those adults screened. Trachoma screening coverage of the estimated populationof children aged 5-9 years in at-risk communities was 65%. Trachoma prevalence among children aged 5-9 years who were screened was 7%. Of the communities screened, 47% were found to have no cases of active trachoma and 40% were found to have endemic levels. Treatment was required in 80 at-risk communities screened. Treatment coverage of active cases and their contacts varied between jurisdictions, ranging from 53% to 98%. This report provides evidence of increasing coverage of trachoma screening and control activities. In the Northern Territory and Western Australia, there is also evidence of a decline in the prevalence of infection that may be attributable to an improvement in control activities. Despite these apparent advances, trachoma prevalence remains at endemic levels in many communities in remote Australia. Continued efforts are required to ensure that Australia remains on track to reach the goal of elimination by 2020 or sooner.

The added value of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to mass drug administration for reducing the prevalence of trachoma: a systematic review examining.

Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide. The SAFE strategy, the World Health Organization-recommended method to eliminate blinding trachoma, combines developments in water, sanitation, surgery, and antibiotic treatment. Current literature does not focus on the comprehensive effect these components have on one another. The present systematic review analyzes the added benefit of water, sanitation, and hygiene education interventions to preventive mass drug administration of azithromycin for trachoma. Trials were identified from the PubMed database using a series of search terms. Three studies met the complete criteria for inclusion. Though all studies found a significant change in reduction of active trachoma prevalence, the research is still too limited to suggest the impact of the "F" and "E" components on trachoma prevalence and ultimately its effects on blindness.

Risk of trachoma in a SAFE intervention area.

To determine prevalence and risk factors of trachoma in communities receiving intervention with the SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotic, face washing, environmental hygiene), a cross-sectional trachoma survey was undertaken in 2006 in the Enemor district of southern Ethiopia where the SAFE program has been implemented for over five years. A sample of 374 household heads and 2,080 individuals were interviewed and examined for trachoma using an established trachoma grading system of the World Health Organization. The most prominent risk factors were identified with logistic regression analysis. Among individuals >14 years of age, the prevalence of trichiasis was 9.04 % [confidence interval (CI) 7.4-10.6]. People >40 years of age [odds ratio (OR) 1.7; CI 1.2-2.7), women (OR 2.2; CI 1.1-4.3), and illiterates (OR 3; CI 1.4-6.8) had increased risk of trichiasis. Coverage of surgical and antibiotic services was 46 and 85.5 %, respectively. Prevalence of active follicular trachoma (TF) in children aged 1-9 years was 33.1 % (CI 29.4-37.1). Unclean faces (OR 5.9; CI 4.3-8.3) and not being in school (OR 2.1; CI 1.3-3.3) were significantly associated with TF. Clean faces were observed in 56.1 % of children and improved with age and schooling (P < 0.001, Chi-squared test). Household latrine use (74.4 %) was associated with knowledge about SAFE and economic level (P ≤ 0.004, Chi-squared tests). Elderly illiterate women remain at risk of becoming blind from trachoma even in intervention areas. Trachoma particularly affects children without clean faces or opportunity for schooling. Provision of SAFE services with high coverage should be sustained in trachoma-hyperendemic areas.

Tracoma: aspectos epidemiológicos no Brasil, 2009-2010 e perspectivas de controle / Trachoma: epidemiological aspects in Brazil, 2009-2010 and prospects for control

O tracoma é uma afecção inflamatória ocular crônica (ceratoconjuntivite crônica recidivante) que tem como agente etiológico a bactéria Chlamydia trachomatis. É reconhecido como importante problema de saúde pública, por ser esta a principal causa de cegueira evitável. Afeta 41 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo das quais 1,3 milhões são cegas devido ao tracoma. A Organização Mundial de Saúde – OMS considera o tracoma endêmico em regiões subdesenvolvidas da África, Oriente Médio, Subcontinente Indiano, Sudeste da Ásia e nas Américas Central e Sul. No Brasil a prevalência conhecida no último inquérito nacional realizado no período de 2002 a 2008 detectou municípios com alta prevalência em todas as regiões do país e um coeficiente médio nacional de 5,1% de tracoma ativo. Este estudo tem por objetivo descrever o sistema de vigilância epidemiológica do tracoma no Brasil e os aspectos epidemiológicos da doença com base nas notificações no Sinan nos anos de 2009e 2010 e nos dados repassados diretamente a coordenação do agravo na SVS. Trata-se de um sistema de busca ativa de casos sob a responsabilidade dos estados e municípios que utiliza dados do último inquérito como base para identificação de foco. A abrangência do inquérito foi de 30% do total de municípios do país o que faz com que a maior parte dos municípios desconheça sua situação em relação ao tracoma. Nos dois anos analisados pouco mais de 300 municípios realizaram atividade de busca de casos, com destaque para os estados do Ceará, São Paulo, Bahia e Tocantins. Neste período foram examinadas 573.576 pessoas com 25.042 casos, o que corresponde a 4,4% de prevalência média. Com 80% dos inquéritos realizados em escolas da zona urbana, a maioria dos casos identificados foi de TF em crianças menores de 10 anos do sexo feminino. Os resultados demonstram que a doença permanece na população brasileira e que grande parte dos municípios não realiza o monitoramento de situação para a devida adoção de medidas preventivas. É fundamental estabelecer uma rotina de retroalimentação desses dados de forma ampla, de modo a impulsionar a utilização do Sinan como ferramenta oficial de notificação e implantação das ações de vigilância e controle do tracoma na rotina dos serviços de saúde com maior envolvimento dos gestores.

Trachoma is an inflammatory chronic eye disease (chronic relapsing keratitis) which has as etiological agent the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Is recognized as an important public health problem that is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Affects 41 million people worldwide of which 1.3 million are blind because of trachoma. The World Health Organization – WHO considers the trachoma endemic in underdeveloped regions of Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Central and South America. In Brazil the prevalence known in the last national survey conducted from 2002 to 2008 found municipalities with high prevalence in all regions of the country and a national average of 5.1 coefficient of active trachoma. This study aims to describe the epidemiological surveillance system of trachoma in Brazil and epidemiological aspects of the disease on the basis of the notifications at Sinan in the years 2009 and 2010 and in data transferred directly coordinating the further SVS. It is a system of active search for cases under the responsibility of the States and municipalities that uses data from the latest survey as the basis for identification of focus. The scope of the investigation was of 30% of the total municipalities in the country which causes most municipalities don't know their situation in relation to trachoma. In the two years was considered little more than 300 municipalities carried out case search activity, especially for the States of Ceará, Bahia, São Paulo, and Tocantins. In this period were examined 573,576 people with 25,042 cases, which correspond to the average prevalence of 4.4%. With 80% of surveys conducted in schools in the urban area, most cases TF was identified in children younger than 10 years female. The results show that the disease remains in the Brazilian population and that much of the municipalities does not perform monitoring situation due to the adoption of preventive measures. It is essential to establish a routine of feedback of the data broadly, so as to boost the use of Sinan as official notification and deployment tool for surveillance and control of trachoma in the routine of health services with greater involvement of managers.