02525nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260002300042653001800065653001700083653001100100653002500111653001500136653002800151100001400179700001300193700001300206700001300219700001200232700001700244700001300261245007600274856009900350300000800449520176500457022002502222       2023                            d  bInforma UK Limited10aOphthalmology10aEpidemiology10aGender10aTrachoma Elimination10aTrichiasis10atrichiasis case finders1 aKishiki E1 aKabona G1 aMwangi G1 aMkocha H1 aShija F1 aCourtright P1 aGeneau R00aUnderstanding the Role of Gender in Trichiasis Case Finding in Tanzania  uhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/09286586.2023.2248628?needAccess=true&role=button  a1-83 a<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> Despite the importance of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) case-finding activities in national trachoma elimination campaigns, the scientific literature on the determinants of good outcomes – finding and managing all TT cases – is still sparse. In Tanzania, we studied differences in case finding activities and outcomes between male and female case finders.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:</strong> This case study was conducted in two districts in Tanzania in 2021–2022. Quantitative data were extracted from case finder forms and outreach registers, and qualitative data were collected through direct observation, interviews, and focus group discussions.</p>

<p><strong>Results:</strong> Across both districts, more males were trained as case finders (68%). Productivity differences were minor, not statistically significant, between male and female case finders regarding the number of households visited and the number of adults examined. Whether identified by a male or female case finder, similar proportions of men and women suspected to have TT were subsequently managed. There is evidence that suggests that female case finders were more active in supporting suspected and confirmed TT cases to access follow-up services.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The findings do not suggest that gender balance in the recruitment of TT case finders would have led to better TT campaign outcomes in the study districts. Programmes may benefit from integrating gender considerations in the design and implementation of case finding activities – e.g. in monitoring gender differences among case finders and the relationship with key outcomes. This study also highlights how women with TT face greater barriers to care.</p>
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