OBJECTIVE: Trachoma is the oldest blinding ocular infection that has well known predisposing risk factors for its transmission. The prevalence of trachoma in Rwanda has been unknown as no trachoma population-based survey had ever been undertaken. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Trachoma and assess associated risk factors for its transmission.
METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of children aged 1 to 9 years and adult women aged 15 and above. Study setting was Gatsibo (Eastern Province) and Nyaruguru (Southern Province) Districts, Rwanda. Clusters were selected through probability proportion-to-size sampling and eligible persons were sampled using a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected using three generic survey questionnaires (village, household and individual level) as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
RESULTS: 3451 children and 1,841 adult women underwent ocular examination for trachoma assessment. The prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) among children was 1.32% [95% CI, 0.77-1.86] in Gatsibo and 0.73% 195% CI, 0.33-1.13] in Nyaruguru Districts, respectively; with both districts having a prevalence below the WHO/International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) cut-off point of 10% for trachoma to be taken as disease of public health importance. There was no case of blinding trachomatous trichiasis and corneal opacity in both districts. Risk factors present for trachoma transmission were minimal.
CONCLUSION: Trachoma is not a disease of public health importance in Gatsibo and Nyaruguru Districts in Rwanda
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