Trachoma rapid assessment in the infantile population of Togo

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of trachoma in children of central Togo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional investigation was conducted in central Togo in November 2009. At every peripheral health unit (PHU) in 2 villages of the sanitary district, 15 schoolchildren between 6 and 9 years old and 35 children from the community between 1 and 5 years old were examined to detect signs of trachoma using a lamp wipes coupled with binocular magnifying loupes (2.5X). Data were analysed with Excel 2007. RESULTS: A total of 8200 children were examined at 82 PHU in 164 villages in the sanitary districts. In the 1-5 year age group including 5,740 children, follicular trachomatous inflammation (TF) was observed in 326 cases and intense trachomatous inflammation (TI) in 9 for a prevalence rate of 5.83%. In the 6-9 year age group including 2,460 schoolchildren, TF was observed in 144 and TI in 8 for a prevalence rate of 6.18%. The overall prevalence rate of active trachoma was 5.94 % (n = 487). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the persistence of active trachoma in children in central Togo. Trachoma may be public health problem in 2 districts: Blitta and Sotouboua. A population-based survey will be carried our to evaluate trachoma prevalence prior to implementation of the SAFE strategy in this region.