Unimproved water sources and open defecation are associated with active trachoma in children in internally displaced persons camps in the Darfur States of Sudan

The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of children with trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) and adults with trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in internally displaced people (IDP) camps in the Darfur States of Sudan and to evaluate associated risk factors.

A random-effects hierarchical model was used to evaluate factors associated with TF and TT. Thirty-six IDP camps were represented in the survey data in which 1926 children aged 1–9 years were examined, of whom 38 (8%) had TF. Poor sanitation, younger age and living in a household that purchased water from a vendor were associated with TF in children aged 1–9 years. Of 2,139 individuals examined aged ≥15 years, 16 (0.7%) had TT. TT was strongly independently associated with being older and living alone.

Disease elimination in conflict-related settings presents a unique challenge for the trachoma community, and may require an innovative approach.