Trachoma in Guinea Bissau

Population (2006 estimate): 1,435,467
Human Development Rank: 175 out of 177
# districts in country:  11
# trachoma endemic districts:  8

Burden of Trachoma (estimated):
TT Backlog:  15,000 cases
TT Prevalence (>15 years) :  2.0%
TF Prevalence: 19.5%
Total population in endemic districts:  1,240,000

National Program for Trachoma Control:
Trachoma Control Program to begin in 2008
Coordinator Guinea Bissau NECP:  Dr. Meno Nabicassa

Target date to eliminate blinding trachoma:   2011

                    Map of Guinea-Bissau showing 3 Provinces (North, East and South) and eight health regions
(Bissau (Bissao), Cacheu, Biombo, Quinara, Tombali, Bolama/Bijagos, Oio and Gabu).

Background Information about the Guinea-Bissau Trachoma Control Program
            The Guinea-Bissau National Trachoma Survey of 2005 showed that trachoma is a substantial public health problem in this country, which is one of the poorest in the world. The survey estimated the national prevalence of follicular trachoma among children aged 1-9 years at 19.5% and trichiasis among those aged 15 years and over at 2% representing a backlog of 15,000 trichiasis patients.  The Table below shows TF and TT Prevalences by Region:

Prevalences of TF in children 1-9 years and TT in adults >15 years by region 

Sightsavers International is supporting the National Eye Care Programme of Guinea Bissau to implement the SAFE strategy for trachoma control. The Programme has considered the data generated by the National Survey as indicating that the whole country should be treated with azithromycin. 

At household level the risk factor most associated with the trachoma burden appears to be low access to latrines, which will be one focus of planned F and E interventions. At individual level, risk factors are nasal and ocular discharge and flies on the face highlighting a need for ‘F’    

For 2008 Guinea-Bissau forecasts total treatments of 1,287,613.  A trial shipment of Zithromax is scheduled for 2008 Q2-Q3.  The Partner Matrix for the Guinea-Bissau Trachoma Control Program (by Region) follows on the next page.
    
                       PARTNERSHIP MATRIX FOR GUINEA-BISSAU