associations between active trachoma and community intervention with antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement (a,f,e)积极的沙眼和社区干预之间的关联与抗生素、面部清洁,改善环境(a、f e).pdfVIP

Associations between Active Trachoma and Community Intervention with Antibiotics, Facial Cleanliness, and Environmental Improvement (A,F,E) 1 2 1,3 4 1 5 Jeremiah Ngondi *, Fiona Matthews , Mark Reacher , Samson Baba , Carol Brayne , Paul Emerson 1 Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2 MRC Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Public Health, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 3 Health Protection Agency, East of England Regional Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Public Health, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 4 Ministry of Health, Government of Southern Sudan, Juba, Sudan, 5 The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America Abstract Background: Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement (SAFE) are advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for trachoma control. However, few studies have evaluated the complete SAFE strategy, and of these, none have investigated the associations of Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement (A,F,E) interventions and active trachoma. We aimed to investigate associations between active trachoma and A,F,E interventions in communities in Southern Sudan. Methods and Findings: Surveys were undertaken in four districts after 3 years of implementation of the SAFE strategy. Children aged 1–9 years were examined for trachoma and uptake of SAFE assessed through interviews and observations. Using ordinal logistic regression, associations between signs of active trachoma and A,F,E interventions were explored. Trachomatous inflammation-intense (TI) was considered more severe than trachomatous inflammation-