Facial cleanliness indicators by time of day: results of a cross-sectional trachoma prevalence survey in Senegal.

Background: The World Health Organization-recommended strategy for trachoma elimination as a public health problem is known by the acronym "SAFE", where "F" stands for facial cleanliness to reduce transmission of ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Accurately and reliably measuring facial cleanliness is problematic. Various indicators for measuring an unclean face exist, however, the accuracy and reliability of these indicators is questionable and their relationship to face washing practices is poorly described.

Impact of a single round of mass drug administration with azithromycin on active trachoma and ocular Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence and circulating strains in The Gambia and Senegal.

Background: Mass drug administration (MDA) with azithromycin is a cornerstone of the trachoma elimination strategy. Although the global prevalence of active trachoma has declined considerably, prevalence persists or even increases in some communities and districts. To increase understanding of MDA impact, we investigated the prevalence of active trachoma and ocular C.

Diagnostic accuracy of a prototype point-of-care test for ocular Chlamydia trachomatis under field conditions in The Gambia and Senegal.

Background: The clinical signs of active trachoma are often present in the absence of ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection in low prevalence and mass treated settings. Treatment decisions are currently based on the prevalence of clinical signs, and this may result in the unnecessary distribution of mass antibiotic treatment. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a prototype point-of-care (POC) test, developed for field diagnosis of ocular C.

Active trachoma among children in Mali: Clustering and environmental risk factors.

Background: Active trachoma is not uniformly distributed in endemic areas, and local environmental factors influencing its prevalence are not yet adequately understood. Determining whether clustering is a consistent phenomenon may help predict likely modes of transmission and help to determine the appropriate level at which to target control interventions. The aims of this study were, therefore, to disentangle the relative importance of clustering at different levels and to assess the respective role of individual, socio-demographic, and environmental factors on active trachoma prevalence among children in Mali.

Mapping xerophthalmia in Mali: results of a national survey on regional distribution and related risk factors.

Background: Vitamin A deficiency is recognized to be a severe public health problem in most of the sahelian countries. In Mali, several surveys had been performed at the district or regional level. Unfortunately, they did not cover the entire territory.

Trichiasis and geoclimatic factors in Mali.

Several trachoma surveys conducted in sub-Saharan countries showed different geographical distributions of active trachoma and trichiasis. Trichiasis is more common in southern regions. We analysed the role of geoclimatic factors in determining the distributions of active trachoma and trichiasis in Mali.

Blindness and low vision in Cape Verde Islands: results of a national eye survey.

Aims: Prior to establishing a national prevention of blindness program a population based survey was conducted in Cape Verde Islands in1998. The objectives of the survey were to estimate the overall and age-specific prevalence of blindness and low vision, to identify the main disorders causing blindness and low vision, and to estimate the population need for basic eye care services.

Methods: A two-level cluster random sampling procedure was used, selecting 30 clusters from the nine inhabited islands and 3,803 persons of all ages were included in the sample.

A new condition specific quality of life measure for the blind and the partially sighted in Sub-Saharan Africa, the IOTAQOL: methodological aspects of the development procedure.

In Mali, blind and partially sighted people represent 1.2% of the population. Good quality and low cost ophthalmologic care is available, but, unfortunately, is insufficiently taken advantage of.

Ocular lesions associated with malaria in children in Mali.

This study sought to estimate the frequency of ocular complications in malaria and its prognostic value in Mali. A total of 140 children (aged 6 months to 9 years) with severe malaria (105 with cerebral malaria, 35 without neurological complications) were compared with 34 children with mild malaria and 82 children with nonmalarial fever. Ocular lesions were rare in the mild malaria group (5.

Prevalence of undernutrition and vitamin A deficiency in the Dogon Region, Mali.

Objectives: A representative sample of 1510 preschool children living in the Bandiagra circle (Mopti Region, Mali) was examined between March and April 1997 to determine the level of vitamin A deficiency.

Methods: Using a randomized two level cluster sampling, 20 clusters of 75 children aged six months to six years were selected for evaluating xerophthalmia (XN night blindness and/or X1B Bitot spot). Concurrently stature and weight were determined.

From visual function deficiency to handicap: measuring visual handicap in Mali.

Background/aims: Blindness is a major public health problem in developing countries, even though most could be prevented by relatively simple hygienic and medical interventions. Relatively few patients use the quality health care services available, despite their low cost, due to problems of access or socio-cultural barriers. This health services research project stressed the need for measurement of subjective self-perceived health.