Trachoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and the leading cause of preventable
1 blindness. It is endemic in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Australia and parts of Southeast
2 Asia. Trachoma is caused by the recurrent, chronic infection of the eye with Chlamydia trachomatis and
progresses from inflammation to conjunctiva scarring, lid deformities, corneal abrasion and visual
impairment.
Methods:This was a school- based cross- sectional descriptive study among primary school pupils in
Bama Local Government Area of Borno state. Simple random sampling technique by balloting was used to
select the subjects for the study. Atotal of three hundred subjects were studied.
Results:The prevalence of active trachoma in the schools were 32(20.9%) at Bama central Primary
school, 36(23.4%) at Soye primary school. The prevalence of active trachoma in the male population was
19(52.8%). In both schools, the prevalence of active trachoma was highest amongst the 5-9 years age
group, followed by the 10-14 years age group.
Conclusion:Health education and antibiotic use reduced the prevalence of trachoma in school children in
Borno State.