The Epidemiology of Trachoma in the Lower Shire Valley of Southern Malawi and Implications for the “SAFE” Strategy

Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 5

Abstract

Aims: To determine the prevalence of trachoma and associated risk factors in the Lower Shire Valley of Southern Malawi. Study Design: Population based cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Lower Shire Valley of southern Malawi between July and October 2012. Methodology: Children aged 1-9 years (total 2957) were assessed for clinical signs of active trachoma follicular (TF) and adults aged 15 and above (total 2247) were assessed for signs of trachoma trichiasis (TT), which is potentially blinding trachoma. A questionnaire survey was conducted to explore the potential risk factors. Results: A total of 2957 children aged 1-9 years who were assessed for clinical signs of TF and 2247 adults aged 15 and above were assessed for signs of TT.The prevalence of TF among children aged 1-9 years was found to be 18.5% (95% CI 16.4-20.8) in Nsanje and 7.8% (95% CI 6.6-9.2) in Mwanza districts respectively. The prevalence of TT in adults aged 15 and above was 0.5% (95% CI: 0.1-0.9) in Nsanje district and 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1-0.4) in Mwanza district, respectively. In regards to risk factors, only the presence of a dirty face was associated with trachoma follicular (TF) in Nsanje and Mwanza districts (P< 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, prevalence of active trachoma infections was 18.5% in Nsanje and 7.8% in Mwanza district. Dirty face was associated with trachoma follicular in both districts. According to WHO, Nsanje therefore needs a SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face Washing and Environmental) control strategy.

Authors and Affiliations

Khumbo Kalua, Isaac Singini, Mavuto Mukaka, Laura Senyonjo

Keywords

Related Articles

Laboratory Evaluation of Clinical Bacterial Isolates for Detection of Carbapenemases-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Kano, North West, Nigeria

The spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae is a global problem; however, no exact data on the epidemiology of carbapenemase in Kano, Northern Nigeria is available. The study was aimed to detect the occurren...

Perspectives on Hepatitis B Vaccination among Health Care Workers in Nigeria

Nigeria has been declared among the group of countries endemic for hepatitis B infection with about 20 million people infected with HBV and about five million deaths resulting from the consequences of hepatitis B infecti...

The Impacts of Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome (Papular Acrodermatitis of Childhood) on the Quality of Life of Children

Background: Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS) is a self-remitting eruption related to viral infections. Ribavirin has been reported to be effective in treating severe GCS. Before clinical trials on antiviral agents, the mag...

Some Candles Emit Hazardous Materials for Human Health and are Indoor Air Pollutants

Some Candles Emit Hazardous Materials for Human Health and are Indoor Air Pollutants Ruhullah Massoudi1*,# and Amid Hamidi1† 1Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, South Carolina State University, USA. Auth...

Cases of Dog Bite in Aba, Abia State Nigeria and Its Public Health Significance

Background: Dog bite cases poses a major public health threat in Nigeria. Majority of rabies infection in humans are due to bites from rabid dogs which are mainly local breed. Research carried out in Nigeria has establis...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP342778
  • DOI 10.9734/IJTDH/2014/7437
  • Views 60
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Khumbo Kalua, Isaac Singini, Mavuto Mukaka, Laura Senyonjo (2014). The Epidemiology of Trachoma in the Lower Shire Valley of Southern Malawi and Implications for the “SAFE” Strategy. International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 4(5), 494-508. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-342778