Publications by authors named "B M Joof"

Article Synopsis
  • Trichiasis occurs when eyelashes grow inward and touch the eyeball, potentially leading to permanent vision loss, caused mainly by repeated infections from Chlamydia trachomatis.
  • A study in The Gambia assessed the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) through surveys in five evaluation units, using a two-stage cluster sampling method involving nearly 12,000 individuals aged 15 and older.
  • The results showed a very low prevalence of TT, with some regions reporting 0.0%, leading to The Gambia being validated in 2021 for achieving the elimination of trachoma as a public health issue, demonstrating the effectiveness of dedicated resources and political commitment in addressing the problem.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world and has been known to be a major public health problem in The Gambia for over 60 years. Nationwide blindness surveys, including trachoma, in 1986 and 1996 provided the foundation for a comprehensive plan to implement a trachoma elimination strategy. Impact and pre-validation surveillance surveys in 2011-13 demonstrated that active trachoma was below WHO threshold for elimination but trichiasis remained a public health problem.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Context: In the Gambia, West Africa, Malaria is a major cause of death among children in rural areas. It has been estimated that in one division in the country malaria accounts for 40% of all deaths in children aged between one and 4 years. Most malaria cases are managed at home assisted by primary healthcare workers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Context: In the Gambia, West Africa, Malaria is a major cause of death among children in rural areas. It has been estimated that in one division in the country malaria accounts for 40% of all deaths in children aged between one and 4 years. Most malaria cases are managed at home assisted by primary healthcare workers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In this study, determinants of tobacco use among Gambian youths were examined. A cross-sectional school-based survey was conducted among 282 students, aged 14-18. The potential determinants were derived from the core constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the ASE model.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF