title: Trachoma in Indigenous Settlements in Brazil, 2000-2008.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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%).
  
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: a Trachoma Control Program , Ministry of Health , Brazil.
authors.forename: Helen Selma de Abreu
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.affiliation: b Sanitary Ophthalmology Center, Epidemiology Surveillance Center , São Paulo State Health Secretariat , Brazil.
authors.forename: Norma Helen
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.affiliation: a Trachoma Control Program , Ministry of Health , Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima Costa
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: a Trachoma Control Program , Ministry of Health , Brazil.
authors.forename: Oscar Espellete
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.affiliation: c Rondônia State Health Secretariat , Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco Túlio Costa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Teodoro
authors.affiliation: d Ophthalmology Department , Minas Gerais State Health Secretariat , Brazil.
authors.forename: Karen Ruth Brock
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ramalho
authors.affiliation: e Ocular Health Program , São Paulo Municipality Health Secretariat , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ligia Santos Abreu
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Caligaris
authors.affiliation: f Oculoplastics Department , Santa Casa de Misericórdia , Porto Alegre , Rio Grande do Sul State , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mörschbächer
authors.affiliation: a Trachoma Control Program , Ministry of Health , Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Nazaré Correia
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: de Menezes
authors.affiliation: g University of São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Expedito José de Albuquerque
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Luna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014141:Trachoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*
keywords: Brazil; epidemiological surveillance; indigenous people of South America; prevalence; trachoma