Introduction
Determining disease prevalence: screening
Determination of the prevalence of active trachoma and trichiasis is the first step and provides data that allow interventions to be targeted to the areas of greatest need. Estimating the prevalence of trachoma needs to be efficient and cost effective.
Australia engages a comprehensive approach by screening all children in each community considered to be ‘at risk of trachoma’. The prevalence of trachoma in a community is determined by screening at least 85% of 5–9-year-old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children for active trachoma.
The use of photographs has also been shown to be a dependable method of assessing signs.
The purpose of this learning activity is to provide a learning aid to enable trachoma nurses and health practitioners to become and maintain a proficiency in assessing the signs of trachoma.
The purpose of this learning activity to provide a self-directed learning aid for trachoma nurses and health practitioners to develop and maintain proficiency in assessing the signs of trachoma.
Note: Free accredited eLearning ‘introductory eye health/trachoma/training’ modules are available at Remote Area Health Corps.