The association between latrine use and trachoma: a secondary cohort analysis from a randomized clinical trial

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013 Oct;89(4):717-20. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0299. Epub 2013 Sep 3.

Abstract

Latrine use has been promoted as a component of an integrated strategy for trachoma control. As part of a randomized trial in Ethiopia, 12 communities received a mass azithromycin distribution followed by a latrine promotion intervention. A random sample of children ages 0-9 years in each community was monitored longitudinally for ocular chlamydia. After latrine construction ended, those communities with a higher proportion of households using latrines were more likely to experience a reduction in the prevalence of ocular chlamydia. Specifically, for each 10% increase in latrine use, there was a 2.0% decrease (95% confidence interval = 0.2-3.9% decrease) in the community prevalence of ocular chlamydia over the subsequent year (P = 0.04).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azithromycin / administration & dosage
  • Azithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Sentinel Surveillance
  • Toilet Facilities / standards*
  • Trachoma / drug therapy
  • Trachoma / epidemiology
  • Trachoma / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Azithromycin