Trachoma prevalence and risk factors among preschool children in a central area of the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

PURPOSE

To estimate the prevalence and severity of trachoma among preschool children and to identify the risk factors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study involving preschool children up to seven years of age residing in a neighborhood of the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

RESULTS

A total of 1128 children were studied. Although most were of low socioeconomic status, access to good sanitary services was virtually universal. The prevalence of inflammatory trachoma was 4.7%. In the bivariate analysis, being 4-7 years of age and having classroom contact with a trachoma case were associated with the disease. Multivariate logistic regression showed that contact with trachoma in the classroom was an independent predictor of trachoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Trachoma persists among children in low-income families, even in urban areas with good sanitation. To eliminate trachoma in a low endemic community, a sensitive surveillance system should be implemented to identify residual sources of infection.