Unimproved water sources and open defecation are associated with active trachoma in children in internally displaced persons camps in the Darfur States of Sudan
Abstract Purpose To estimate the proportion of children with trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) and adults with trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the Darfur States of Sudan and to evaluate associated risk factors. Methods IDP camps were identified fro...
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Published in | Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol. 113; no. 10; pp. 599 - 609 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
Oxford University Press
11.10.2019
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Abstract
Purpose
To estimate the proportion of children with trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) and adults with trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the Darfur States of Sudan and to evaluate associated risk factors.
Methods
IDP camps were identified from government census data. We conducted a subanalysis of data collected in these camps during 2014–2015 as part of surveys covering 37 districts of the Darfur States within the Global Trachoma Mapping Project. A random-effects hierarchical model was used to evaluate factors associated with TF in children or TT in adults.
Results
Thirty-six IDP camps were represented in the survey data, in which 1926 children aged 1–9 y were examined, of whom 38 (8%) had TF. Poor sanitation, younger age and living in a household that purchased water from a vendor were associated with TF in children aged 1–9 y. Of 2139 individuals examined aged ≥15 y, 16 (0.7%) had TT. TT was strongly independently associated with being older and living alone.
Conclusion
Trachoma is found at low levels in these camps, but still at levels where intervention is needed. Disease elimination in conflict-related settings presents a unique challenge for the trachoma community, and may require an innovative approach. Understanding how best to undertake trachoma elimination interventions in these areas should be prioritized. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 See Appendix |
ISSN: | 0035-9203 1878-3503 1878-3503 |
DOI: | 10.1093/trstmh/trz042 |