Prevalence of trachoma in thar desert area of Sindh

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of trachoma in a given population. A cross - sectional study. Department of Ophthalmology, Civil Hospital, Mirpurkhas - Sindh from January to December 2001. A total of four thousand [4000] patients of different age groups undergone a clinical examination of anterior eye during study period. Those with the clinical findings of trachoma underwent further detailed examination including visual acuity, tonometry and dilated ophthalmoscopy. The diagnosis of different stages of trachoma was confirmed clinically using simplified trachoma grading system of World Health Organization. Out of 4000 patients, 515 [12.87%] were found having clinical findings of trachoma. Among these, 215 [41.74%] were male and 300 [58.25%] female patients. The prevalence of active trachoma was higher in female children. Trachoma has become endemic in the increasing poor population of District Tharparkar. The disease is increasing due to deficient water supply, poor sanitation and unhygienic living standards of the people of area