Comparison of two azithromycin distribution strategies for controlling trachoma in Nepal.
OBJECTIVE
The study compares the effectiveness of two strategies for distributing azithromycin in an area with mild-to-moderate active trachoma in Nepal.


METHODS
The two strategies investigated were the use of azithromycin for 1) mass treatment of all children, or 2) targeted treatment of only those children who were found to be clinically active, as well as all members of their household.


RESULTS
Mass treatment of children was slightly more effective in terms of decreasing the prevalence of clinically active trachoma (estimated by clinical examination) and of chlamydial infection (estimated by DNA amplification tests), although neither result was statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Both strategies appeared to be effective in reducing the prevalence of clinically active trachoma and infection six months after the treatment. Antibiotic treatment reduced the prevalence of chlamydial infection more than it did the level of clinically active trachoma.
Holm
S O
SO
Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Jha
H C
HC
Bhatta
R C
RC
Chaudhary
J S
JS
Thapa
B B
BB
Davis
D
D
Pokhrel
R P
RP
Yinghui
M
M
Zegans
M
M
Schachter
J
J
Frick
K D
KD
Tapert
L
L
Lietman
T M
TM
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D014141:Trachoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin