Trichiasis surgical coverage in three local government areas of Sokoto state, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Community-based lid surgery for trachomatous trichiasis (TT) is provided in 8 local government areas (LGAs) of Sokoto state since 2003 as part of a trachoma control programme. This study aims to assess the impact of community-based lid surgery on the magnitude of TT in 3 LGAs of Sokoto state. MATERIALS AND METHODS A population-based survey was conducted in persons aged 15 years and above. A stratified multistage cluster sampling with probability proportional to size was used. Trachoma was assessed using the WHO simplified grading system. RESULTS Despite high (13%) refusals, 72% of the minimum sample size was examined. The prevalence of blindness ranged from 1.3% to 2.5% in the LGAs while the prevalence of TT in persons aged 15 years and above was 2% in the Silame, 2.7% in the Wamakko and 5.6% in the Kware LGAs, respectively. The prevalence of TT in females 15 years and above was 1.1% in the Silame, 4% in the Wamakko and 6.3% in the Kware LGAs, respectively. The trichiasis surgical coverage is 9.5% in the Kware and 12.5% in the other LGAs respectively. The minimum number of TT lid surgery required to achieve the elimination level is 873 in the Silame LGA, 2611 in the Wamakko LGA and 4672 in the Kware LGA. CONCLUSION The burden of TT is high in the study communities while the trichiasis surgical coverage is low. There is a need to strengthen the control programme to meet up with existing need.