The prevalence of Trachoma in primary school children in Mkuranga District,Coast Region Tanzania.

Abstract

Objective: This was a cross-sectional school based study designed to determine the prevalence of trachoma in primary school pupils in Mkuranga district Coast region, Tanzania. Methods: From the second to last week of July 2002, a total of eight primary schools were visited. One thousand, seven hundred and thirty nine (1739) pupils, aged between 5 and 20 years had their eyes examined for signs of trachoma. A World Health Organization grading chart of 1987 was used to assess for trachoma. Facial cleanliness assessment was also made of the pupils examined. In this study, a clean face is defined as one with no eye discharge, nasal discharge or left over food around the mouth. A dirty face was diagnosed if a child had at least one or more of the above clinical appearances. Environmental sanitation was assessed as being fair or poor based on the availability of a water source within the school compound, presence of a latrine and on the presence of a refuse pit.