Prevalence of Trachoma after Implementation of Trachoma Elimination Interventions in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: Results of Impact Surveys in 131 Evaluation Units Covering 139 Districts

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF), trachomatous trichiasis (TT), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access in 131 evaluation units (EUs) after implementation of trachoma elimination interventions in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each EU using the World Health Organization-recommended two-stage cluster-sampling methodology. Twenty-six clusters, each with a mean of 30 households were enumerated in each EU. All residents aged ≥1 year in selected households were examined for TF and TT. Information on WASH access in surveyed households was also collected through questioning the household head and direct observation. RESULTS: A total of 419,858 individuals were enumerated in 131 EUs, of whom 396,134 (94%) were examined, 54% being female. Age-adjusted EU-level prevalence of TF in children aged 1–9 years ranged from 0.15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0–0.4) to 37.5% (95% CI: 31.1–43.7). The TF prevalence was <5% in 73/131 (56%) EUs. The EU-level age- and gender-adjusted prevalence of TT unknown to the health system among people aged ≥15 years ranged from 0.001% (95% CI: 0.00–0.02) to 2.2% (95% CI: 1.1–3.1) with 37/131 (28%) EUs having a prevalence <0.2%. Only 48% of all households surveyed had access to improved water sources for drinking. Approximately 96% of households did not have an improved latrine. CONCLUSION: Oromia is on the path towards elimination of trachoma as a public health problem

Incidence and geographic distribution of retinoblastoma in Ethiopia

Abstract Introduction Retinoblastoma is the most frequent intraocular malignancy of the eye in children, occurring in early childhood. Based on global estimates, Ethiopia is expected to observe over 200 new retinoblastoma cases per year, however without a cancer registry, this number is difficult to confirm. Therefore, the goal of the study was to determine the incidence and geographic distribution of retinoblastoma in Ethiopia. Methods A retrospective medical chart review of clinically diagnosed new retinoblastoma patients between January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2020, in four public Ethiopian tertiary hospitals was performed. The incidence of retinoblastoma was calculated by a birth-cohort analysis. Results There were 221 retinoblastoma patients observed in the study period. The incidence of retinoblastoma was found to be 1 in 52,156 live births. Incidence varied among different regions of Ethiopia. Conclusion The incidence of retinoblastoma observed in this study is likely an underestimate. It is possible that patients were undercounted because they were seen outside of the 4 main retinoblastoma treatment facilities included in this facility, or they experienced barriers to accessing care. Our study suggests a need for a nationwide retinoblastoma registry and more retinoblastoma treatment centers in the country

Prevalence of trachoma after antibiotic mass drug administration in Tigray Region, Ethiopia: results from 42 trachoma impact surveys in 31 woredas

Purpose: Following baseline surveys in Tigray region in 2013. Since then, rounds of azithromycin mass drug administration (MDA) have been delivered in line with international guidance. The purpose of these surveys was to assess TF prevalence following those treatments to enable the region to plan the next steps towards elimination of trachoma. Methods: All surveys followed WHO recommendations for community-based cross-sectional survey design. 31 woredas in 6 zones of Tigray region were surveyed. There were two survey series: all 31 woredas were surveyed in the first series of surveys, and 11 woredas were resurveyed in the second. 20 woredas had one survey and 11 woredas had two surveys in the reported period. Results: In the first series of 31 surveys, one woreda had an adjusted TF prevalence in 1−9-year-olds of <5.0%, 13 had a prevalence of 5.0−9.9% and 17 had a prevalence of 10.0−29.9%. In the second series of 11 surveys, the prevalence of TF was <5.0% in seven woredas and 5.0−9.9% four woredas. The most recent adjusted prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) unknown to the health system in ≥15-year-olds was ≥0.2% in 27 EUs. One-third of households visited had access to an improved drinking water source within a 30-minute return journey of their house and 11% had an improved latrine. Conclusion: Eight EUs met the criteria to stop MDA for two years before re-survey. However, further rounds of MDA, additional efforts to improve water and sanitation access and ongoing strengthening of surgical services for TT are needed across Tigray

Prevalence of Trachoma after Implementation of Trachoma Elimination Interventions in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: Results of Impact Surveys in 131 Evaluation Units Covering 139 Districts

To determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF), trachomatous trichiasis (TT), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access in 131 evaluation units (EUs) after implementation of trachoma elimination interventions in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each EU using the World Health Organization-recommended two-stage cluster-sampling methodology. Twenty-six clusters, each with a mean of 30 households were enumerated in each EU. All residents aged ≥1 year in selected households were examined for TF and TT. Information on WASH access in surveyed households was also collected through questioning the household head and direct observation. A total of 419,858 individuals were enumerated in 131 EUs, of whom 396,134 (94%) were examined, 54% being female. Age-adjusted EU-level prevalence of TF in children aged 1–9 years ranged from 0.15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0–0.4) to 37.5% (95% CI: 31.1–43.7). The TF prevalence was Oromia is on the path towards elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.</p