title: Prevalence of Trachoma in Niger State, North Central Nigeria: Results of 25 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys Carried Out with the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.
abstract: To determine the prevalence of trachoma in each of the 25 local government areas (LGAs) of Niger State, Nigeria.
  
  
  
  A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each Niger State LGA between March and April 2014, as part of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP). GTMP protocols were used in planning and conduct of the surveys. Using probability proportional to size, 25 clusters were selected; in each of these clusters, 25 households were enrolled for the survey. All residents aged 1 year and older were examined by GTMP-certified graders for trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF) and trichiasis using the World Health Organization simplified grading scheme. Additionally, we collected data on household water and sanitation facilities.
  
  
  
  Only one LGA (Kontagora) had TF prevalence in 1-9-year-olds above 10%; one other LGA (Rafi) had TF prevalence between 5.0 and 9.9%. Six LGAs need trichiasis surgical services provided to achieve a prevalence of <1 case of trichiasis per 1000 total population. The proportion of households with access to improved water sources ranged from 23 to 100%, while household-level access to improved latrines ranged from 8 to 100% across the LGAs.
  
  
  
  The prevalence of trachoma is relatively low in most of Niger State. There is a need for community-based trichiasis surgical services in a small number of LGAs. The trachoma elimination program could engage water and sanitation agencies to augment access to improved water and sanitation facilities, for human rights reasons. Kontagora and Rafi need community-based interventions to reduce the prevalence of active trachoma.
authors.affiliation: a Ophthalmology Unit, Surgery Department , Usmanu Danfodiyo University , Sokoto , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mohammed Dantani
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Adamu
authors.affiliation: b Sightsavers, Nigeria country office , Kaduna , Nigeria.|c Department of Ophthalmology , University of Jos , Jos , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Caleb
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mpyet
authors.affiliation: a Ophthalmology Unit, Surgery Department , Usmanu Danfodiyo University , Sokoto , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nasiru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muhammad
authors.affiliation: d National Eye Centre , Kaduna , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Murtala Muhammad
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Umar
authors.affiliation: e Gambo Sawaba Hospital , Zaria , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Habila
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Muazu
authors.affiliation: f Mission To Save The Helpless , Jos , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Olamiju
authors.affiliation: b Sightsavers, Nigeria country office , Kaduna , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Sunday
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isiyaku
authors.affiliation: g Federal Ministry of Health , Abuja , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Uwazoeke
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Onyebuchi
authors.affiliation: h Ministry of Health , Niger State.
authors.forename: Usman Abubakar
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Bosso
authors.affiliation: b Sightsavers, Nigeria country office , Kaduna , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adamani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: William
authors.affiliation: g Federal Ministry of Health , Abuja , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Benjamin C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Nwobi
authors.affiliation: i Task Force for Global Health , Decatur, GA , USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.affiliation: i Task Force for Global Health , Decatur, GA , USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca Mann
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Flueckiger
authors.affiliation: i Task Force for Global Health , Decatur, GA , USA.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavluck
authors.affiliation: i Task Force for Global Health , Decatur, GA , USA.
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: g Federal Ministry of Health , Abuja , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olobio
authors.affiliation: j Clinical Research Department , London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , London , UK.
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Solomon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009548:Niger / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012499:Sanitation / Q000592:standards; D014141:Trachoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D058457:Trichiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Elimination; Global Trachoma Mapping Project; Nigeria; epidemiology; trachoma; trichiasis