The Burden of Trachoma in Ayod County of Southern Sudan
Author Information
Author(s): King Jonathan D., Ngondi Jeremiah, Gatpan Gideon, Lopidia Ben, Becknell Steve, Emerson Paul M.
Primary Institution: The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
Hypothesis
Is blinding trachoma a public health problem in Ayod County, Southern Sudan?
Conclusion
The high prevalence of active trachoma and trichiasis confirms the severe burden of blinding trachoma in Ayod County.
Supporting Evidence
- Trachoma affected almost all households surveyed, with 98.0% having at least one person with active trachoma.
- The prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis was 14.6% in adults over 14 years of age.
- Children aged 1–9 years had a trachomatous inflammation follicular prevalence of 80.1%.
- One in three households had at least one person with trichiasis.
Takeaway
Trachoma is a serious eye disease that can cause blindness, and many people in Ayod County have it, especially children.
Methodology
A cross-sectional two-stage cluster random survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of trachoma among residents.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from the grading system used for diagnosing trachoma and the demographics of the examined population.
Limitations
The survey did not capture reasons for the high prevalence of trachoma and was limited to accessible areas.
Participant Demographics
The mean age of participants was 18.8 years, with 53.6% being female and 48.4% over 14 years of age.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI for various prevalence estimates provided.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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