Population-Based Study of Trachoma in Guatemala

Abstract

Purpose: A prevalence survey for active trachoma in children aged under 10 years and trichiasis in women aged 40 years and older was carried out in four districts in the Sololá region in Guatemala, which is suspected of still having a trachoma problem.

Methods: Population-based surveys were undertaken in three districts, within 15 randomly selected communities in each district. In addition, in a fourth district that borders the third district chosen, we surveyed the small northern sub-district, by randomly selecting three communities in each community, 100 children aged under 10 years were randomly selected, and all females over 40 years. Five survey teams were trained and standardized. Trachoma was graded using the World Health Organization simplified grading scheme and ocular swabs were taken in cases of clinical follicular or inflammatory trachoma. Prevalence estimates were calculated at district and sub-district level.

Results: Trachoma rates at district level varied from 0–5.1%. There were only two sub-districts where active trachoma approached 10% (Nahualá Costa, 8.1%, and Santa Catarina Costa, 7.3%). Trichiasis rates in females aged 40 years and older varied from 0–3%. Trachoma was likely a problem in the past.

Conclusions: Trachoma is disappearing in the Sololá region in Guatemala. Health leadership may consider further mapping of villages around the areas with an especially high rate of trachoma and infection, and instituting trichiasis surgery and active trachoma intervention where needed.

• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Guatemala
• population-based survey
• South America
• trachoma

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to acknowledge the following researchers for their efforts on this study; Homero Ramirez, Fernando Noriega, Aida Monzon, Marilyn Padilla, Carlos Alberto Flores, Erwin Barrios and Gabriel Lopez Perez.

The survey was organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of Guatemala and the Comisión Nacional de Salud Ocular de Guatemala. The Pan American Health Organization National Office and Asociación Visualiza managed the implementation of the study.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This survey was funded by Cristoffell Blinden Mission and the Neglected Diseases Regional Program and the Prevention of Blindness Regional Program of the Pan American Health Organization.