Trachoma in Burkina Faso

Population (est. 2008): 14.4 million
Human Development Rank:  176 out of 177
Number of health districts:  55
Number of health districts surveyed for trachoma: 33/55 (at 3/2008)
Number of health districts endemic for trachoma: 23/33 surveyed
Number of districts completing 3 rounds of Zx distribution: 0 (at 5/08)



Burden of trachoma in Burkina Faso:
Prevalence of active infection (TF) in 1-9 year old children ranges from 1.4 to 21.1 %      
Prevalence of trichiasis (TT) in persons 15 years and older ranges from 0.0% to 2.2%
Estimated at-risk population: At least 4,000,000 (Data not yet complete)
Estimated number of persons suffering with trichiasis and in need of surgery: 54,665

Target date for elimination of blinding trachoma: 2020

National Program for Trachoma Control:
Coordinator PNLC: Dr. Bernadette Yoda

Burkina Faso launched its trachoma control program in 2007 with implementation of the SAFE strategy in three health districts in the East and Center-East Regions. The first round of Zithromax administration in the 3 districts reached 89% of the target population, with 990,730 at-risk individuals receiving treatment. Between 2005 and 2007, prevalence surveys were conducted in 33 of Burkina Faso’s 55 health districts. The data produced from these surveys allowed the Burkina program to identify additional districts that will be incorporated into the trachoma program in the coming years. The program will scale-up to include 5 additional endemic districts in 2008 and 7 additional endemic districts in 2009.   
 
Burkina Faso is implementing its trachoma control program in coordination with an integrated program combating seven Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), of which trachoma is one. This program, partially funded by the US Agency for International Development, provides support for the distribution of medications that treat or prevent trachoma, schistosomiasis, three soil transmitted helminthes, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis. This program is also providing support for the trachoma prevalence surveys that will allow the program to expand to additional districts beyond 2009.