Sociomedical contributions to trachoma research and intervention.

Although the importance of human factors in the transmission and control of blinding trachoma has long been recognized, little sociomedical research has been undertaken on this disease. The trachoma literature contains considerable anecdotal information and a few reports relating to human behavioral, cultural, social, and economic factors, but systematic study in this area is needed. The potential range of sociomedical contributions to trachoma research is wide, including studies on the transmission of the disease, its consequences (especially blindness), and the planning, logistics, monitoring, and evaluation of intervention programs.