Prevalence of active trachoma two years after control activities.

BACKGROUND Following an epidemiological assessment to map out the endemicity of trachoma in Ghana, Trachoma control interventions were put in place in two districts in Upper West and three in Northern Regions in the year 2001. The control activities were based on the WHO recommended strategy of SAFE. After two years of intervention, a study was undertaken to determine the impact of the control activities. METHODS A simple random selection of compounds was done. Trained and standardized ophthalmic nurses examined children aged 1 to 10 years for dirty faces and signs of active trachoma. Community members were interviewed to ascertain availability of potable water and latrines. RESULTS A total of 9,288 children aged 1-10 years were examined in 2003. Overall TF/TI prevalence for Upper West was 5.6% and for Northern Region was 3.5%. In 2000, 6,241 children aged 1-10 years were examined. The overall prevalence of TF/TI for baseline was 15.0% for Upper West and 9.1% for Northern Region. The prevalence of TF/TI showed significant reduction (p-value <0.001) in all five districts and overall in the two regions. CONCLUSION Trachoma control activities over a two-year period in two regions in Ghana had led to significant reduction in the prevalence of active disease. Integrated surveillance and active monitoring will help early detection of active disease.