Prevalence and risk factors for trachoma in Sarlahi district, Nepal

Abstract

Aims - To estimate the prevalence of trachoma in preschool children in Sarlahi district, Nepal, and to identify risk factors for the disease. Methods - A stratified random sample of 40 wards was selected for participation in a trachoma survey. Within each ward, a systematic 20% sample of children 24-76 months of age was chosen to determine the presence and severity of trachoma using the World Health Organisation grading system. Results - A total of 891 children were selected and 836 (93.8%) were examined for trachoma from December 1990 to March 1991. The prevalence of active trachoma was 23.6% (21.9% follicular and 1.7% intense inflammatory). Cicatricial trachoma was not seen in this age gro..