Children as agents of change in trachoma control

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Despite the fact that trachoma is preventable, 7.2 million people suffer from trichiasis, the potentially blinding stage of trachoma, and 325 million live in areas where trachoma is confirmed or suspected. According to the World Health Organization, 21 million people have trachoma (Weekly Epidemiological Record No. 17, 27 April 2012). This situation requires immediate action if the global target to eliminate blinding trachoma by 2020 is to be reached. The WHO endorses the SAFE strategy to prevent and treat trachoma. Surgery treats trichiasis patients, Antibiotic distribution treats active infections, and Facial cleanliness and Environmental sanitation prevent the transmission of trachoma. In Ethiopia, the country with the heaviest known burden of trachoma cases in the world, health educators promote the SAFE strategy in a range of different settings. Schools are an ideal place to target children, who are most susceptible to trachoma infection. In 2005, the Carter Center began health education in 700 schools in the Amhara National Regional State. Teacher training was scaled up in 2008 and 2009, following the expansion of the programme to cover the entire region. In total, 7,822 primary schools now have ongoing health education. The Carter Center trained one science teacher and the director from each primary school to implement the trachoma primary school curriculum developed jointly by The Carter Center and the ministry of health. In a recent assessment of school-based activities, we found that school children supported the SAFE strategy in several key ways.