Reduction and Return of Infectious Trachoma in Severely Affected Communities in Ethiopia

Takele Lakew, Jenafir House, Kevin C Hong, Elizabeth Yi, Wondu Alemayehu, Muluken Melese, Zhaoxia Zhou, Kathryn Ray, Stephanie Chin, Emmanuel Romero, Jeremy Keenan, John P Whitcher, Bruce D Gaynor and Thomas M Lietman

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2009, vol. 3, issue 2, 1-7

Abstract: Background: Antibiotics are a major tool in the WHO's trachoma control program. Even a single mass distribution reduces the prevalence of the ocular chlamydia that causes trachoma. Unfortunately, infection returns after a single treatment, at least in severely affected areas. Here, we test whether additional scheduled treatments further reduce infection, and whether infection returns after distributions are discontinued. Methods: Sixteen communities in Ethiopia were randomly selected. Ocular chlamydial infection in 1- to 5-year-old children was monitored over four biannual azithromycin distributions and for 24 months after the last treatment. Findings: The average prevalence of infection in 1- to 5-year-old children was reduced from 63.5% pre-treatment to 11.5% six months after the first distribution (P

Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pntd00:0000376

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000376

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