Assessment of Trachoma in Cambodia: Trachoma Is Not a Public Health Problem

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether trachoma is a public health problem requiring intervention in Cambodia. Methods: Based on historical evidence and reports, 14 evaluation units (EUs) in Cambodia, judged to be most likely to harbor trachoma, were selected. The Global Trachoma Mapping Project methodology was used to carry out rigorous surveys to determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation–follicular (TF) and trichiasis in each EU. Results: The EU-level prevalence of TF among 25,801 1–9-year-old children examined ranged from 0% to 0.2%. Among the 24,502 adults aged 15+ years examined, trichiasis was found in 59 people. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalences of trichiasis in all ages in the EUs studied ranged from 0% to 0.14%; five EUs had a prevalence of trichiasis ≥0.1%. Conclusions: There appears to be no need nor justification at this time for implementing public health measures to control trachoma in Cambodia.