Prevalence of active and potentially blinding trachoma in Laikipia district, Kenya

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate with reasonable precision the prevalence of active trachoma (TF) in children aged 1-9 years and potentially blinding trachoma (TT) in adults 15 years and older in Laikipia District. Design: Baseline community based survey conducted from 22nd to 30th July 2007 using the standardized WHO protocol Setting: Laikipia District of the Lift Valley Province of Kenya. Subjects: A total of 348 households were visited. 1,017 children aged 1-9 years and 1,225 adults aged >15 years were examined. Results: Ninety seven out of the 1,017 children had TF hence the prevalence of TF in Laikipia is 9.5% (95% CI: 6.3-13.9). 14 out of the 1,225 adults had TT. Prevalence of TT in Laikipia is 1.1% (95% CI: 0.5-2.4). Conclusions: Active trachoma is not a district wide public health problem in Laikipia. Potentially blinding trachoma (TT) is a district wide public health. Recommendations: District-wide mass antibiotic treatment is not justifi able but all the suspected endemic sub-locations should be surveyed and treated where necessary. There is need for TT surgical services in the entire district.