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.
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.
Authors: Meredith E Stocks; Stephanie Ogden; Danny Haddad; David G Addiss; Courtney McGuire; Matthew C Freeman Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2014-02-25 Impact factor: 11.069