A secondary analysis to determine countries and districts eligible for documented full geographic coverage for trichiasis case finding and outreaches
Author:
Kamuyu Michael K1ORCID,
Kelly Michaela2,
Somerville Stephanie2
Affiliation:
1. Neglected Tropical Diseases, Sightsavers , Nairobi , Kenya
2. Neglected Tropical Diseases, Sightsavers, Haywards Heath , RH16 3BW, UK
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The World Health Organization recommends house-to-house case searches as an option to evidence whether the elimination of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) has been reached. We sought to determine the number of trachoma-endemic countries and districts that will require either documented full geographic coverage (DFGC) or TT-only surveys.
Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Trachoma Atlas to identify evaluation units (EUs) that require house-to-house case searches or TT-only surveys to demonstrate achievement of the elimination of TT.
Results
There were 1710 EUs with TT above the elimination prevalence target in all trachoma-endemic countries. Of those EUs, 852 (49.8%) do not have a future survey planned and will therefore potentially have to evidence through DFGC or TT-only surveys whether the elimination prevalence target for TT has been reached.
Conclusion
Of the large number of EUs that require TT-related activities, nearly half of them will need to evidence that every household in the EU has been visited by a case finder and all confirmed cases managed. Given that this is a relatively new way to evidence elimination, and countries face different sociopolitical challenges, cross-country learning and improved guidance is key to support global elimination.
Funder
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,General Medicine,Health (social science)
Reference17 articles.
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