Sukwa T Y, Ngalande T C, Mwandu D H, Siziya S, Mukunyandela M
Zambia Flying Doctor Service, Ndola.
East Afr Med J. 1992 Jan;69(1):34-6.
A cross-sectional population based study was done to provide information on the extent to which xerophthalmia and trachoma contribute to blindness in the valley population. A total of 4271 children aged under 6 years and 2503 individuals aged 6 years and more were examined. The overall prevalence of trachoma for those under 6 years of age was 17.6%, the majority of which were graded as follicular trachomatous inflammation. The trend in age specific prevalence was highly significant (x2 = 160.6, p = 0.000). Prevalence by sex was also significantly different (z = 2.0, P less than 0.05). Among those aged greater or equal to 6 years, 331 (13.2%) had trachoma. Complications of trachoma (trichiasis and opacities) were common in this age group compared to those under 6 years of age. There were no differences in prevalence by district either in children or adults. This survey provides some of the first reliable data on prevalence of trachoma in this population and that it is a significant public health problem in the valley. The magnitude of severe complications from trachoma is low in this community, this may mean that the trachoma seen is the non-blinding type. We conclude that trachoma is of public health importance in the valley but is not a major cause of blindness.
开展了一项基于人群的横断面研究，以获取有关干眼病和沙眼导致该山谷地区人群失明程度的信息。共检查了4271名6岁以下儿童和2503名6岁及以上个体。6岁以下儿童沙眼的总体患病率为17.6%，其中大多数被评为滤泡性沙眼炎症。年龄别患病率趋势具有高度显著性（x2 = 160.6，p = 0.000）。按性别划分的患病率也存在显著差异（z = 2.0，P < 0.05）。在6岁及以上人群中，331人（13.2%）患有沙眼。与6岁以下儿童相比，沙眼并发症（倒睫和混浊）在该年龄组中更为常见。儿童和成人按地区划分的患病率均无差异。这项调查提供了该人群中沙眼患病率的一些首批可靠数据，表明沙眼是该山谷地区一个重大的公共卫生问题。该社区沙眼严重并发症的发生率较低，这可能意味着所发现的沙眼为非致盲型。我们得出结论，沙眼在该山谷地区具有公共卫生重要性，但并非失明的主要原因。
