Trachoma in the Pacific Islands: evidence from Trachoma Rapid Assessment.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the presence or absence of trachoma in the Pacific Island region.


METHODS
Trachoma Rapid Assessment methodology was used in Kiribati, Nauru, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji. Advised by key informants, high-risk communities were chosen from each country. All available children aged 1-9 years and adults > or = 40 years were examined.


RESULTS
A total of 903 adults > or = 40 years and 3102 children aged 1-9 years were screened at 67 sites. Rates of active trachoma in children were >15% in all sites in Kiribati and >20% in all sites in Nauru. However, there was a high variability of rates of active trachoma in survey sites in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji with rates ranging from 0% to 43% (average 23.3%), 6.0% to 51.9% (average 30.5%) and 0% to 48.8% (average 22.1%) respectively. Average rates of scarring trachoma in adults were 61.9% in Kiribati, 12.5% in Nauru, 38.2% in Vanuatu, 67.0% in the Solomon Islands and 18.8% in Fiji. Rates of trichiasis and trichiasis surgeries suggest the possibility of blinding trachoma in the region.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that trachoma is present in all the Pacific Island countries screened. Further prevalence studies are required, and trachoma control measures should be considered.
Mathew
A A
AA
Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia. mathewa@unimelb.edu.au
Keeffe
J E
JE
Le Mesurier
R T
RT
Taylor
H R
HR
D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014141:Trachoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control