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Assessment of a Novel Approach to Identify Trichiasis Cases Using Community Treatment Assistants in Tanzania

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  • Gregory S Greene
  • Sheila K West
  • Harran Mkocha
  • Beatriz Munoz
  • Shannath L Merbs

Abstract

Background: Simple surgical intervention advocated by the World Health Organization can alleviate trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and prevent subsequent blindness. A large backlog of TT cases remain unidentified and untreated. To increase identification and referral of TT cases, a novel approach using standard screening questions, a card, and simple training for Community Treatment Assistants (CTAs) to use during Mass Drug Administration (MDA) was developed and evaluated in Kongwa District, a trachoma-endemic area of central Tanzania. Methodology/Principal Findings: A community randomized trial was conducted in 36 communities during MDA. CTAs in intervention villages received an additional half-day of training and a TT screening card in addition to the training received by CTAs in villages assigned to usual care. All MDA participants 15 years and older were screened for TT, and senior TT graders confirmed case status by evaluating all screened-positive cases. A random sample of those screened negative for TT and those who did not present at MDA were also evaluated by the master graders. Intervention CTAs identified 5.6 times as many cases (n = 50) as those assigned to usual care (n = 9, p

Suggested Citation

  • Gregory S Greene & Sheila K West & Harran Mkocha & Beatriz Munoz & Shannath L Merbs, 2015. "Assessment of a Novel Approach to Identify Trichiasis Cases Using Community Treatment Assistants in Tanzania," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(12), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pntd00:0004270
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004270
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