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

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of trachoma in each district (“woreda”) of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Eleven cross-sectional community-based surveys in evaluation unit (EUs) covering 34 rural woredas were supported in 2013 using the standardised methodology developed for the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.

The study concluded that the prevalence of active trachoma and trichiasis were above the WHO thresholds for elimination as a public health problem in all the EUs – therein calling for implementation of the full SAFE (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement). Notably, four EUs (12 woredas) require MDA for at least five years before re-survey.