Active trachoma, face washing [F] and environmental improvement [E] in a high-risk population in Oman

ABSTRACT

Oman aims to eliminate blinding trachoma by 2010. As a part of a study to review the health institution approach of trachoma surveillance, "F" [facial cleanliness] and "E" [environmental improvement] components of the SAFE trachoma control strategy were assessed in a high-risk population in Nizwa wilayat. Thus 50 households with 1 member treated for active trachoma in the last 6 months were evaluated for active trachoma and for water and sanitation facilities. In all, 229 children under 15 years of age were clinically examined; the rate of active trachoma was 3.5% in the children. Clean face was found in 97.8% of the children and 70% of houses had piped water or water supplied by tankers. The status of "F" and "E" in the study area was generally high