Prevalence of trachoma in children at primary school in Wuqiang County, China / 眼科研究

ABSTRACT

Objective Trachoma is a preventable infective eye disease worldwide. The incidence rate of active trachoma in children can reflect the epidemical degree of trachoma in the location. This study tried to assess the prevalence and risk factors of trachoma in students at primary school in Wuqiang County, China. Methods An epidemiological survey was carried out in Wuqiang County in 2006. The investigators were from Wuqiang County Hospital and Beijing Tongren Eye Center and received special training. Primary school children aged 6- to 16-years-old were selected by a cluster sampling with the class shift as the sampling unit. Trachoma was clinically examined under the slim lamp and assessed based on the simplified classification for trachoma proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The C. Trachomatis inclusion body was detected from conjunctival swab of patients with trachoma using enzyme immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The questionnaire was performed in the examinees and parents. The survey followed the Declaration of Helsinki and written informed consent was obtained from the examinees. Results A total 379 cases with trachoma were determined in 1622 primary school examinees with the prevalence 23. 4% (95% CI25. 5% -21. 3%) .including follicular trachoma in 81% and intense trachoma in 19% . The overall prevalence of trachoma was higher in female students than male ones (25. 8% versus 20. 9%, P = 0. 020). No inclusion body of the conjunctiva was observed. Sixty-four cases (38. 1%) presented the positive response for C. Trachomatis antigen by enzyme immunoassay, and 109 cases (64. 9%) were positive response by PCR. The multiple factors logistic regression analysis showed the risk factors for active trachoma included living location, suburbs and female and age(0R =0.763, 1.299, 1. 147 respectively). Conclusion Trachoma showes a disseminating procedure among primary school children in Wuqiang County. The prevention strategy should be made for related risk factors.