The Prevalence of Trachoma in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia: Results of 11 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys Completed as Part of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project

PURPOSE We aimed to estimate the prevalence of trachoma in each district ("woreda") of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. METHODS We conducted 11 cross-sectional community-based surveys in evaluation units covering 34 rural woredas from January to March 2013 using the standardized methodology developed for the Global Trachoma Mapping Project. RESULTS Teams visited 8034 households in 275 villages. A total of 28,581 consenting individuals were examined, 16,163 (56.7%) of whom were female. The region-wide adjusted trichiasis prevalence was 1.7% in those aged 15 years and older. All evaluation units mapped had a trichiasis prevalence over the World Health Organization elimination threshold of 0.2% in people aged 15 years and older. The region-wide adjusted prevalence of the clinical sign trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years was 26.1%. A total 10 evaluation units, covering 31 woredas, with a combined rural population of 4.3 million inhabitants, had a prevalence of TF ≥10%, and require full implementation of the SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement) for at least 3 years before impact surveys are undertaken. Of these, four evaluation units, covering 12 woredas, with a combined rural population of 1.7 million inhabitants, had a TF prevalence ≥30%. CONCLUSION Both active trachoma and trichiasis are public health problems in Tigray, which needs urgent implementation of the full SAFE strategy.