Trachoma in Indigenous Settlements in Brazil, 2000-2008

Trachoma in Indigenous Settlements in Brazil, 2000-2008

Purpose: Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease that affects the cornea and conjunctiva. Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of avoidable blindness worldwide. Its prevalence is higher among individuals of low socioeconomic status, a...

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Published in:Ophthalmic epidemiology Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 354 - 359
Main Authors: Freitas, Helen Selma de Abreu, Medina, Norma Helen, Lopes, Maria de Fátima Costa, Soares, Oscar Espellete, Teodoro, Marco Túlio Costa, Ramalho, Karen Ruth Brock, Caligaris, Ligia Santos Abreu, Mörschbächer, Ricardo, de Menezes, Maria Nazaré Correia, Luna, Expedito José de Albuquerque
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Taylor & Francis 01-11-2016
Subjects:
Adolescent
Age Distribution
Brazil
Brazil - epidemiology
Child
Child, Preschool
epidemiological surveillance
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Indians, South American - statistics & numerical data
indigenous people of South America
Infant
Male
Population Surveillance
Prevalence
Sex Characteristics
trachoma
Trachoma - epidemiology
Trachoma - ethnology
Brazil
indigenous people of South America
prevalence
epidemiological surveillance
trachoma
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Summary:Purpose: Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease that affects the cornea and conjunctiva. Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of avoidable blindness worldwide. Its prevalence is higher among individuals of low socioeconomic status, and trachoma is common in indigenous communities. The present study presents aspects of the epidemiological profile of trachoma in indigenous communities in Brazil. Methods: We analyzed data from two databases collected during trachoma screening activities among the population of indigenous settlements in Brazil between 2000 and 2008. Trachoma cases were detected by ocular examination in accordance with the World Health Organization simplified trachoma grading system. Results: According to the surveillance database, a total of 9582 individuals in six different states were examined. Among children aged 1-9 years, the prevalence of follicular trachomatous inflammation (TF) was 35.2%. In individuals aged ≥15 years, the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) was 1.2% in individuals and the sex-specific prevalence was 0.8% in males and 1.6% in females (p = 0.02). In a survey of two states, 2301 indigenous schoolchildren were examined. In the age bracket 5-9 years, the prevalence of TF was 4.9 (95% confidence interval 3.8-6.0%). Conclusion: In Brazil, trachoma appears to be a serious public health problem in indigenous settlements, which should therefore be given priority in programs aimed at the elimination of trachoma in the country.
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ISSN:0928-6586
1744-5086
DOI:10.3109/09286586.2015.1131305