The epidemiology of trachoma in Darfur States and Khartoum State, Sudan: results of 32 population-based prevalence surveys

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of trachoma and associated risk factors in the five Darfur States and Khartoum State, Sudan. The study divided the suspected-endemic population living in accessible districts (45) into 32 evaluation units (EUs), and used the standardised methodologies of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.

The results suggest that blinding trachoma is unlikely to be a public health problem in Khartoum State. In the Darfur states (27 EUs): the prevalence of active trachoma (TF) was above the WHO threshold for elimination as a public health problem in five EUs – therein calling for the mass distribution of azithromycin, together with facial cleanliness and environmental improvement; the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis was above the WHO elimination threshold in the majority of areas surveyed.