Trachoma Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Preschool Children in a Central Area of the City of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and severity of trachoma among preschool children and to identify the risk factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving preschool children up to seven years of age residing in a neighborhood of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Results: A total of 1128 children were studied. Although most were of low socioeconomic status, access to good sanitary services was virtually universal. The prevalence of inflammatory trachoma was 4.7%. In the bivariate analysis, being 4–7 years of age and having classroom contact with a trachoma case were associated with the disease. Multivariate logistic regression showed that contact with trachoma in the classroom was an independent predictor of trachoma. Conclusions: Trachoma persists among children in low-income families, even in urban areas with good sanitation. To eliminate trachoma in a low endemic community, a sensitive surveillance system should be implemented to identify residual sources of infection.

KEYWORDS:

• Trachoma prevalence
• pediatric ophthalmology
• preschool children
• risk factors
• developing countries
• Brazil