Baseline, Impact and Surveillance Trachoma Prevalence Surveys in Burundi, 2018–2021

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Trachoma is an eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). It can lead to permanent vision loss. Since 2007, Burundi has included trachoma elimination as part of its fight against neglected tropical diseases and blindness. This study presents the results of trachoma baseline, impact and surveillance surveys conducted in Burundi between 2018 and 2021.

Methods

Areas were grouped into evaluation units (EU) with resident populations of between 100,000 and 250,000 people. Baseline surveys were conducted in 15 EUs, impact surveys in 2 EUs and surveillance surveys in 5 EUs; in each survey, 23 clusters of about 30 households were included. Consenting residents of those households were screened for clinical signs of trachoma. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) was recorded.

Results

A total of 63,800 individuals were examined. The prevalence of TF in 1–9-year-olds was above the elimination threshold of 5% in a single EU at baseline, but fell below the threshold in subsequent impact and surveillance surveys. The prevalence of TT was below the 0.2% elimination threshold in ≥15-year-olds in all EUs surveyed. A high proportion (83%) of households had access to safe drinking water, while only a minority (~8%) had access to improved latrines.

Conclusion

Burundi has demonstrated the prevalence levels necessary for trachoma elimination status. With continued effort and the maintenance of existing management plans, trachoma elimination in Burundi is within reach.

KEYWORDS:

• Burundi
• prevalence
• trachoma
• trichiasis
• Tropical Data
• WASH

Disclosure statement

AB and SB are (and RW was) employed by the International Trachoma Initiative at The Task Force for Global Health, which receives an operating budget and research funding from Pfizer Inc., the manufacturers of Zithromax® (azithromycin). EMHE receives salary support from the International Trachoma Initiative.

Disclaimer

The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this article and they do not necessarily represent the views, decisions, or policies of the institutions with which they are affiliated, USAID, or the U.S. government.

© 2023 World Health Organization. Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

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Additional information

Funding

for Tropical Data was provided by the International Trachoma Initiative; Sightsavers; and RTI International through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Act to End NTDs | East Program.