Prevalência de tracoma entre escolares brasileiros

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To estimate the prevalence and describe the distribution of trachoma among schoolchildren in Brazilian municipalities. METHODS:Cross-sectional study, using cluster sampling, of the schoolchildren population of the Brazilian municipalities with Human Development IndexMunicipal lower than the national average. This trachoma prevalence survey was conducted by the Ministry of Health, in the period [2002][2003][2004][2005][2006][2007]. There were 119,531 schoolchildren selected from 2,270 schools located in 1,156 municipalities. The selected schoolchildren underwent an external ocular examination, with a magnifying glass (2.5X), to detect clinical signs of trachoma according to the WHO criteria. The prevalence of trachoma, by state and national level, and their respective 95% confi dence intervals were estimated. Chi-square and Chi-square for trends tests were used to compare categorical variables.RESULTS: There were 6,030 cases of trachoma detected, resulting in a prevalence of 5.0% (95%CI 4.5;5.4). There was no signifi cant difference between the sexes. The prevalence of trachoma was 8.2% among children under 5 years of age, decreasing among higher age groups (p < 0.01). There was a signifi cant difference in prevalence between urban and rural areas, 4.3% versus 6.2% respectively (p < 0.01). Cases were detected in 901 municipalities (77.7% of the sample), in all regions of the country. In 36.8% of the selected municipalities, the prevalence was higher than 5%. CONCLUSIONS:The study shows that trachoma is a signifi cant public health problem in Brazil, contradicting the belief that the disease had been controlled in the country. The survey provides a baseline for evaluating planned interventions aimed at achieving the goal of global certifi cation of elimination of trachoma as a cause of blindness in Brazil by 2020.

Trachoma prevalence among schoolchildren in the municipality of Turmalina, Minas Gerais state

“…On the other hand, a household survey carried out with children in the community of Vila Estrutural, a former invasion area in the Brazilian Federal District and under precarious conditions of sanitation, demonstrated a prevalence of 12.5% (15) , wheras in the studies of Lucena et al (16) in Porteira (CE), a rate of 26.2% was observed. Lopes et al (17) found cases of trachoma in all Brazilian States, but reported an average prevalence of 6.1% in Santa Catarina, 4.6% in Rio Grande do Sul and 4.5% in Roraima. According to these authors, in MG the average prevalence was 4.8%.…”

TRACOMA: uma antiga patologia ainda negligenciada na atualidade

“…Embora bastante prevalente em nosso meio (Silva, 2014;Jesus et al, 2013;Lopes et al, 2013;Lucena;Cavalcanti, 2010;Lopes, 2008;Paula;Medina;2002), o…”

“…A face interna das pálpebras e a esclera são recobertas por uma membrana fina e transparente chamada conjuntiva (Fig.1B) (JESUS et al, 2013;LOPES et al, 2013;DANTAS, 2013;MACHARELLI et al, 2013;CANINÉO et al, 2012;SCHELLINI et al, 2010;FERRAZ et al, 2010;LUCENA;CAVALCANTI et al, 2010 ;LOPES, 2008;ALMEIDA, 2007;KOIZUMI et al, 2005 De acordo com Thylefors et al (1987) o tracoma apresenta cinco formas clássicas (Fig.3) Certamente alcançar este objetivo seria de grande importância no combate a esta bactéria. Foram considerados todos os trabalhos publicados no período.…”

Trachoma as cause of blindness: literature review

“…Not observed natural or acquired immunity to infection. Some experimental studies show that there is some resistance after the first episode of infection, but a partial resistance because after a new inoculation, a new infection is developed [9,24].…”