02622nas a2200373   4500000000100000008004100001653003900042653001300081653001500094653001500109653001300124653001800137653000900155653001500164100001300179700001500192700001300207700001500220700001400235700001700249700001700266700001300283700001300296700001300309700001300322700001200335700001000347700001500357700001400372245009900386300000900485520174000494022001402234       2017                            d10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aTrachoma10aMozambique10aPrevalence10aChildren10aPublic health10aWASH10aSanitation1 aAbdala M1 aSingano CC1 aWillis R1 aMacleod CK1 aBackers S1 aFlueckiger R1 aVilanculos A1 aTerefe D1 aHouane M1 aBikele F1 aKello AB1 aDowns P1 aBay Z1 aSenyonjo L1 aSolomon A00aThe epidemiology of trachoma in Mozambique: Results of 96 population-based prevalence surveys.  a1-103 a<p><strong>PURPOSE: </strong>Surveys are needed to guide trachoma control efforts in Mozambique, with WHO guidelines for intervention based on the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9&nbsp;years and the prevalence of trichiasis in adults aged 15&nbsp;years and above. We conducted surveys to complete the map of trachoma prevalence in Mozambique.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Between July 2012 and May 2015, we carried out cross-sectional surveys in 96 evaluation units (EUs) covering 137 districts.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>A total of 269,217 individuals were enumerated and 249,318 people were examined using the WHO simplified trachoma grading system. Overall, 102,641 children aged 1-9&nbsp;years, and 122,689 individuals aged 15&nbsp;years and above were examined. The prevalence of TF in children aged 1-9&nbsp;years was ≥10% in 12 EUs, composed of 20 districts, covering an estimated total population of 2,455,852. These districts require mass distribution of azithromycin for at least 3&nbsp;years before re-survey. The TF prevalence in children was 5.0-9.9% in 17 EUs (28 districts, total population 3,753,039). 22 EUs (34 districts) had trichiasis prevalences ≥0.2% in adults 15&nbsp;years and above, and will require public health action to provide surgical services addressing the backlog of trichiasis. Younger age, more children resident in the household, and living in a household that had an unimproved latrine or no latrine facility, were independently associated with an increased odds of TF in children aged 1-9&nbsp;years.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Trachoma represents a significant public health problem in many areas of Mozambique.</p>
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