Prevalence of Trachoma and Access to Water and Sanitation in Benue State, Nigeria: Results of 23 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys

31 Dec 2018
Mpyet C, Tagoh S, Boisson S, Willis R, Muhammad N, Bakhtiari A, Adamu MD, Pavluck AL, Umar MM, Joel Alada J, Isiyaku S, Adamani W, Jande B, Olobio N, Solomon AW, & for the Global Trachoma Mapping Project

Purpose: We sought to determine the prevalence of trachoma in each local government area (LGA) of Benue State, Nigeria.

Methods: Two-stage cluster sampling was used to conduct a series of 23 population-based prevalence surveys. LGAs were the evaluation units surveyed. In each LGA, 25 households were selected in each of 25 clusters, and individuals aged 1 year and above resident in those households were invited to be examined for trachoma. Data on access to water and sanitation were also collected at household level.

Results: A total of 91,888 people were examined from among 93,636 registered residents across the 23 LGAs. The LGA-level prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) in 1–9 year olds ranged from 0.3% to 5.3%. Two LGAs had TF prevalences of 5.0–9.9%. The LGA-level prevalence of trichiasis in ≥15-year-olds ranged from 0.0% to 0.35%. Access to improved drinking water sources ranged from 0% in Gwer West to 99% in Tarka, while access to improved sanitation ranged from 1% in Gwer West to 92% in Oturkpo.

Conclusion: There is a need for public health-level interventions against trachoma in three LGAs of Benue State.