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. 2024 Dec;31(6):543-552.
doi: 10.1080/09286586.2023.2213776. Epub 2023 Jul 3.

Baseline, Impact and Surveillance Trachoma Prevalence Surveys in Burundi, 2018-2021

Victor Bucumi  1 , Elvis Muhimpundu  1 , Amadou Alfa Bio Issifou  2 , Stephanie Akweyu  3 , Nick Burn  3 , Johan Willems  3 , Junénal Niyongabo  1 , Aba Elvis  4 , Gamael Koizan  5 , Anna Harte  6 , Sarah Boyd  7 , Rebecca Willis  7 , Ana Bakhtiari  7 , Cristina Jimenez  8 , Clara Burgert-Brucker  9 , Khm Martin Kollmann  3 , Anthony W Solomon  10 , Emma M Harding-Esch  6 , Rose Marie Gashikanyi  1
Affiliations

Baseline, Impact and Surveillance Trachoma Prevalence Surveys in Burundi, 2018-2021

Victor Bucumi et al. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: Trachoma is an eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). It can lead to permanent vision loss. Since 2007, Burundi has included trachoma elimination as part of its fight against neglected tropical diseases and blindness. This study presents the results of trachoma baseline, impact and surveillance surveys conducted in Burundi between 2018 and 2021.

Methods: Areas were grouped into evaluation units (EU) with resident populations of between 100,000 and 250,000 people. Baseline surveys were conducted in 15 EUs, impact surveys in 2 EUs and surveillance surveys in 5 EUs; in each survey, 23 clusters of about 30 households were included. Consenting residents of those households were screened for clinical signs of trachoma. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) was recorded.

Results: A total of 63,800 individuals were examined. The prevalence of TF in 1-9-year-olds was above the elimination threshold of 5% in a single EU at baseline, but fell below the threshold in subsequent impact and surveillance surveys. The prevalence of TT was below the 0.2% elimination threshold in ≥15-year-olds in all EUs surveyed. A high proportion (83%) of households had access to safe drinking water, while only a minority (~8%) had access to improved latrines.

Conclusion: Burundi has demonstrated the prevalence levels necessary for trachoma elimination status. With continued effort and the maintenance of existing management plans, trachoma elimination in Burundi is within reach.

Keywords: Burundi; Tropical Data; WASH; prevalence; trachoma; trichiasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

AB and SB are (and RW was) employed by the International Trachoma Initiative at The Task Force for Global Health, which receives an operating budget and research funding from Pfizer Inc., the manufacturers of Zithromax® (azithromycin). EMHE receives salary support from the International Trachoma Initiative.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Prevalence of trachomatous inflammation – follicular (TF), Burundi trachoma prevalence surveys, 2018–2021, by survey type: (a) Baseline, (b) Impact and (c) Surveillance. The boundaries and names indicated and the designations used on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion of any kind on the part of the authors, or the institutions with which they are affiliated, concerning the legal status of a country, territory, city or region or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its borders.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Number of people examined and number of trachomatous inflammation – follicular (TF) cases, by age group and gender, Burundi trachoma prevalence surveys, 2018–2021.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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