Rapid Assessment of Trachoma in a Hyperendemic Rural Area of North India

Abstract

Purpose:: To perform a Rapid Assessment Study of Trachoma as a public health problem in a hyperendemic area in rural population of North India.

Methods:: A rapid assessment study was done in accordance to the guidelines given by "Program for prevention of deafness and blindness: report of global scientific meeting on trachoma: future prospects of trachoma control" and "Rapid assessment for blindness for trachoma" published by WHO. The assessment was done in a health care unit in a rural district. Ten villages, each with a population of 3000- 5000 were chosen by the method of cluster sampling. 100 children between the ages of 1-9 years were examined from each village for signs of Trachoma Intense and Trachoma Follicular (n=1000). Examination of both eyes for signs of trachoma and its complications was done with the aid of binocular loupe with 2.0x or 2.5x magnification. Conjunctival swabs from patients of active trachoma were analyzed by PCR and Direct Immunoflourescence assay for trachoma antigen detection was performed.

Results:: Forty children (males 20, females 20) had signs of active trachoma of whom, 33 had trachomatous follicles (TF) and seven had intense trachomatous inflammation (TI). Direct Immnunoflouresence (IF) test for detection of trachoma antigen and PCR were positive in 25% and 10% respectively.

Conclusions:: The disease burden of trachoma is still high in children of rural areas of North India and clinical examination is the most effective way of it s rapid assessment.

Keywords: trachoma • cornea: clinical science