Village and household clustering of xerophthalmia and trachoma

The clustering of xerophthalmia in villages and in households was assessed among preschool children surveyed in the Lower Shire Valley; Malawi; and in Aceh province; Indonesia. Trachoma clustering was similarly assessed among the same children in Malawi. Trachoma clustered much more than xerophthalmia among villages and among households. The impact of xerophthalmia clustering on sample size considerations for future surveys or interventions was similar in Malawi and Indonesia. Village clustering of xerophthalmia would necessitate a twofold increase in sample size. Household clustering in the absence of village clustering would have almost no impact on sample size. Village clustering of trachoma would necessitate a ninefold increase in sample size. Household clustering would increase sample size requirements by 26 percent

Breast-feeding; weaning patterns; and the risk of xerophthalmia in Southern Malawi

A case-control study of breast-feeding and weaning patterns associated with xerophthalmia was conducted among children aged 24-71 mo in Southern Malawi in 1983. One hundred fifty-two children with active xerophthalmia were compared to 151 clinically normal children matched on age (+/- 12 mo); sex; and village of residence. All children were initially breast-fed; however; children with xerophthalmia began weaning onto porridge (p = 0.05) and ceased breast-feeding earlier (p less than 0.01 for 24-47 mo olds); had a shorter weaning interval (p less than 0.005); and were fully weaned from the breast for a longer duration (p less than 0.025) than the controls. The association between earlier cessation of breast-feeding and subsequent xerophthalmia was strongest during the immediate post- weaning years. These findings imply a protective role for breast- feeding against xerophthalmia in early childhood