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The Geographical Distribution and Burden of Trachoma in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer L Smith
  • Rebecca M Flueckiger
  • Pamela J Hooper
  • Sarah Polack
  • Elizabeth A Cromwell
  • Stephanie L Palmer
  • Paul M Emerson
  • David C W Mabey
  • Anthony W Solomon
  • Danny Haddad
  • Simon J Brooker

Abstract

Background: There remains a lack of epidemiological data on the geographical distribution of trachoma to support global mapping and scale up of interventions for the elimination of trachoma. The Global Atlas of Trachoma (GAT) was launched in 2011 to address these needs and provide standardised, updated and accessible maps. This paper uses data included in the GAT to describe the geographical distribution and burden of trachoma in Africa. Methods: Data assembly used structured searches of published and unpublished literature to identify cross-sectional epidemiological data on the burden of trachoma since 1980. Survey data were abstracted into a standardised database and mapped using geographical information systems (GIS) software. The characteristics of all surveys were summarized by country according to data source, time period, and survey methodology. Estimates of the current population at risk were calculated for each country and stratified by endemicity class. Results: At the time of writing, 1342 records are included in the database representing surveys conducted between 1985 and 2012. These data were provided by direct contact with national control programmes and academic researchers (67%), peer-reviewed publications (17%) and unpublished reports or theses (16%). Prevalence data on active trachoma are available in 29 of the 33 countries in Africa classified as endemic for trachoma, and 1095 (20.6%) districts have representative data collected through population-based prevalence surveys. The highest prevalence of active trachoma and trichiasis remains in the Sahel area of West Africa and Savannah areas of East and Central Africa and an estimated 129.4 million people live in areas of Africa confirmed to be trachoma endemic. Conclusion: The Global Atlas of Trachoma provides the most contemporary and comprehensive summary of the burden of trachoma within Africa. The GAT highlights where future mapping is required and provides an important planning tool for scale-up and surveillance of trachoma control. Author Summary: In order to target resources and drugs to reach trachoma elimination targets by the year 2020, data on the burden of disease are required. Using prevalence data in African countries derived from the Global Atlas of Trachoma (GAT), the distribution of trachoma continues to be focused in East and West Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and a few endemic countries in Central Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, 129.4 million people are estimated to live in areas that are confirmed to be trachoma endemic and 98 million are known to require access to the SAFE strategy. The maps and information presented in this work highlight the GAT as important open-access planning and advocacy tool for efforts to finalize trachoma mapping and assist national programmes in planning interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer L Smith & Rebecca M Flueckiger & Pamela J Hooper & Sarah Polack & Elizabeth A Cromwell & Stephanie L Palmer & Paul M Emerson & David C W Mabey & Anthony W Solomon & Danny Haddad & Simon J Bro, 2013. "The Geographical Distribution and Burden of Trachoma in Africa," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(8), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pntd00:0002359
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002359
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jennifer L Smith & Danny Haddad & Sarah Polack & Emma M Harding-Esch & Pamela J Hooper & David C Mabey & Anthony W Solomon & Simon Brooker, 2011. "Mapping the Global Distribution of Trachoma: Why an Updated Atlas Is Needed," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(6), pages 1-4, June.
    2. Archie C A Clements & Lucia W Kur & Gideon Gatpan & Jeremiah M Ngondi & Paul M Emerson & Mounir Lado & Anthony Sabasio & Jan H Kolaczinski, 2010. "Targeting Trachoma Control through Risk Mapping: The Example of Southern Sudan," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(8), pages 1-9, August.
    3. Catherine Linard & Marius Gilbert & Robert W Snow & Abdisalan M Noor & Andrew J Tatem, 2012. "Population Distribution, Settlement Patterns and Accessibility across Africa in 2010," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(2), pages 1-8, February.
    4. Simon I Hay & Robert W Snow, 2006. "The Malaria Atlas Project: Developing Global Maps of Malaria Risk," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(12), pages 1-5, December.
    5. Tansy Edwards & Jennifer Smith & Hugh J W Sturrock & Lucia W Kur & Anthony Sabasio & Timothy P Finn & Mounir Lado & Danny Haddad & Jan H Kolaczinski, 2012. "Prevalence of Trachoma in Unity State, South Sudan: Results from a Large-Scale Population-Based Survey and Potential Implications for Further Surveys," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(4), pages 1-12, April.
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    1. Rachel L Pullan & Matthew C Freeman & Peter W Gething & Simon J Brooker, 2014. "Geographical Inequalities in Use of Improved Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation across Sub-Saharan Africa: Mapping and Spatial Analysis of Cross-sectional Survey Data," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-17, April.

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