How schools can help to build healthy, productive lives, free of trachoma

Children are particularly vulnerable to ocular C. trachomatis infection, which causes trachoma. The bacteria can spread easily to siblings and playmates via flies, towels and dirty hands. Good hygiene and facial cleanliness form part of the World Health Organization (WHO) SAFE strategy: Surgery to correct trichiasis, Antibiotics to reduce active infection, and Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvements to reduce transmission. School-based trachoma interventions provide an opportunity to raise children’s awareness of the importance of hygiene. Typically, these interventions involve students learning about the causes and consequences of trachoma and the behaviours they can adopt to avoid contracting the disease. They then, in turn, disseminate these messages further amongst their families and community members.