Reducing Trachoma Infection in Ethiopian Communities
Author Information
Author(s): Lakew Takele, House Jenafir, Hong Kevin C., Yi Elizabeth, Alemayehu Wondu, Melese Muluken, Zhou Zhaoxia, Ray Kathryn, Chin Stephanie, Romero Emmanuel, Keenan Jeremy, Whitcher John P., Gaynor Bruce D., Lietman Thomas M.
Primary Institution: Orbis International, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Hypothesis
Can additional scheduled treatments further reduce ocular chlamydial infection in severely affected communities in Ethiopia?
Conclusion
Repeated mass oral azithromycin distributions significantly reduce ocular chlamydial infection, but infection returns after treatments are discontinued.
Supporting Evidence
- The average prevalence of infection was reduced from 63.5% pre-treatment to 11.5% six months after the first distribution.
- After four treatments, the prevalence further decreased to 2.6%.
- Infection returned to 25.2% in the 18 months following the last treatment.
Takeaway
Giving medicine to everyone in a community can help reduce eye infections, but the infections can come back if the medicine stops.
Methodology
The study involved monitoring ocular chlamydial infection in children aged 1-5 years over four biannual azithromycin distributions and for 24 months after the last treatment.
Limitations
The study did not explore the sources of reinfection after treatment cessation.
Participant Demographics
The study included 808 children aged 1-5 years, with 48.6% being girls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 45.3 to 51.9%
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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