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Ilako D, Mwatha S, Wanyama BE, Gichangi M, Bore J, Butcher R, Bakhtiari A, Boyd S, Willis R, Solomon AW, Watitu T, Chelanga D, Nyakundi P, Harding-Esch EM, Matendechero SH. Progress Towards Elimination of Trachoma in Kenya 2017-2020. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38320117 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2023.2280987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Trachoma is endemic in Kenya. Since baseline trachoma surveys in 2004, a concerted programme has been undertaken to reduce the prevalence of disease. Here, we report on trachoma prevalence surveys carried out between 2017 and 2020 after interventions were implemented in some areas for trachoma elimination purposes. METHODS A total of 48 cross-sectional population-based trachoma prevalence surveys were conducted in 39 evaluation units (EUs; covering 45 subcounties) of Kenya between 2017 and 2020. Thirty EUs were surveyed once and nine EUs were surveyed twice over this period. Individuals ≥ 1 year old were assessed for trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF), trachomatous inflammation-intense (TI) and trichiasis. Data were collected on household access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). RESULTS A total of 147,573 people were examined. At the end of 2020, in the 39 EUs surveyed, the prevalence of TF in 1-9-year-olds was ≥5% in 11 EUs and the prevalence of trichiasis unknown to the health system in individuals aged ≥15 years was ≥0.2% in 25 EUs. A small minority of households (median <50% for all indicators) had access to improved WASH facilities. CONCLUSION Kenya has made excellent progress towards elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. However, there is more work to do. Between one and three rounds of antibiotic mass drug administration are required in 11 EUs. Sustained investment in surgical provision, continued TT case-finding, promotion of facial cleanliness and environmental improvement are required throughout the surveyed area.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ilako
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - S Mwatha
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - M Gichangi
- Ophthalmic Services Unit, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - J Bore
- Kenya National Bureau of Statics, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - R Butcher
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - A Bakhtiari
- International Trachoma Initiative, Task Force for Global Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - S Boyd
- International Trachoma Initiative, Task Force for Global Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - R Willis
- International Trachoma Initiative, Task Force for Global Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - A W Solomon
- Global Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - T Watitu
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - D Chelanga
- Ophthalmic Services Unit, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - P Nyakundi
- Ophthalmic Services Unit, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - E M Harding-Esch
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - S H Matendechero
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
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