THE ECOLOGY OF TRACHOMA - AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL-STUDY IN SOUTHERN MEXICO

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (3) , 559-567
Abstract
A total of 1097 people in 2 communities in Chiapas, Mexico, were examined for trachoma, and information was obtained about personal and family hygiene. Trachoma was hyperendemic; .apprx. 25% of those < 10 yr old were found to have significant inflammatory trachoma and almost 100% of those aged > 40 yr had cicatricial trachoma, although the prevalence of trachoma differed significantly between the 2 communities. Risk factor analysis was performed by contingency table analysis and .chi.2 testing. The most important parameter associated with the occurrence and severity of inflammatory trachoma in children was the frequency of face washing. Children who washed their faces 7 or more times per wk had significantly less trachoma than those who washed their faces 7 or more times per wk had significantly less trachoma than those who washed less often (.chi.22df=28.7; P < 0.001). This effect was independent of age, use of clean water and soap, or use of clothes to dry the face. Children who washed infrequently and who used clothes to dry the face or clean the nose were more at risk for trachoma. No parameters of family hygiene or socioeconomic status correlated with the amount of trachoma in a family. These data confirm and quantify for the first time the long-held belief that trachoma is associated with poor personal hygiene and suggest potentially effective and efficient intervention strategies.

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