Progress Towards Elimination of Trachoma in Kenya 2017-2020

• Published in: Ophthalmic epidemiology 2024-12, Vol.31 (6), p.577-587
• Main Authors: Ilako, D, Mwatha, S, Wanyama, Barasa E, Gichangi, M, Bore, J, Butcher, R, Bakhtiari, A, Boyd, S, Willis, R, Solomon, A W, Watitu, T, Chelanga, D, Nyakundi, P, Harding-Esch, E M, Matendechero, S H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease Eradication; Female; Humans; Hygiene - standards; Infant; Kenya - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Sanitation - standards; Trachoma - epidemiology; Trachoma - prevention & control; Trichiasis - epidemiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0928-6586; 1744-5086; 1744-5086
• DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2023.2280987

Trachoma is endemic in Kenya. Since baseline trachoma surveys in 2004, a concerted programme has been undertaken to reduce the prevalence of disease. Here, we report on trachoma prevalence surveys carried out between 2017 and 2020 after interventions were implemented in some areas for trachoma elimination purposes. A total of 48 cross-sectional population-based trachoma prevalence surveys were conducted in 39 evaluation units (EUs; covering 45 subcounties) of Kenya between 2017 and 2020. Thirty EUs were surveyed once and nine EUs were surveyed twice over this period. Individuals ≥ 1 year old were assessed for trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF), trachomatous inflammation-intense (TI) and trichiasis. Data were collected on household access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). A total of 147,573 people were examined. At the end of 2020, in the 39 EUs surveyed, the prevalence of TF in 1-9-year-olds was ≥5% in 11 EUs and the prevalence of trichiasis unknown to the health system in individuals aged ≥15 years was ≥0.2% in 25 EUs. A small minority of households (median