Purpose: Based on health care records and trachoma rapid assessments, trachoma was
suspected to be endemic in Kaskazini A and Micheweni districts of Zanzibar. This study aimed
to investigate the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation – follicular (TF), and trachomatous
trichiasis (TT) in each of those districts.
Methods: The survey was undertaken in Kaskazini A and Micheweni districts on Unguja and
Pemba Islands, respectively. A multi-stage cluster random survey sampling design was applied,
whereby 25 census enumeration areas (clusters) and 30 households per cluster were included.
Consenting eligible participants - children aged 1-9 years and people aged 15 years and above -
were examined for trachoma using the World Health Organization simplified grading system.
Results: A total of 1,673 households were surveyed and 6,407 participants (98.0% of those
enumerated) were examined for trachoma. Examinees included a total of 2,825 children aged 1-9
years and 3,582 people aged 15 years and above. The TF prevalence in 1-9 year-olds was 2.7%;
95% confidence interval [CI] (2.7-4.1) and 11.4%; 95% CI (6.6-16.5) in Kazkazini A and
Micheweni, respectively. Among people aged 15 year and above, the TT prevalence was 0.01%;
95% CI (0.0-0.04) in Kazkazini A and 0.21%; 95% CI (0.08-0.39) in Micheweni.
Conclusion: Trachoma is a public health problem in Micheweni district, where implementation
of all four components of the SAFE strategy, including mass drug administration with
azithromycin, is required. These findings will facilitate achievement of GET 2020 objectives.