Rapid assessment of trachoma [RAT] in south provinces of Iran

ABSTRACT

To evaluate four southern provinces of Iran for trachoma by rapid assessment of trachoma [RAT] during 2004. This descriptive study was performed in rural areas of four probable contaminated provinces in south of Iran including Bushehre, Kerman, Hormozgan, and Sistan and Baluchestan. By multistage sampling, 5328 subjects including 4782 children aged 1-9 years and 546 adults were selected and examined based on the World Health Organization [WHO] protocol. Children were evaluated for presence of follicular and intense trachoma and adults were examined for presence of trachomatous trichiasis. Prevalence of these types of trachoma was determined and compared with acceptable WHO limits. Only in Sistan and Baluchestan province, 7 cases of active follicular trachoma were observed equal to a local prevalence of 0.5% and a total prevalence of 0.15%. No case of severe trachoma was observed. Trichiasis was seen in 0.03% of adult subjects including 0.17% in Bushehr province and 0.03% in Kerman province. No trichiasis was detected in Hormozgan or Sistan and Baluchestan provinces. The prevalence of active follicular trachoma and Trichiasis is less than the accepted level of WHO. There seems to be no need for nationwide intervention in this regard