PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (Feb 2023)

Exploring water, sanitation, and hygiene coverage targets for reaching and sustaining trachoma elimination: G-computation analysis.

  • Kristin M Sullivan,
  • Emma M Harding-Esch,
  • Alexander P Keil,
  • Matthew C Freeman,
  • Wilfrid E Batcho,
  • Amadou A Bio Issifou,
  • Victor Bucumi,
  • Assumpta L Bella,
  • Emilienne Epee,
  • Segni Bobo Barkesa,
  • Fikre Seife Gebretsadik,
  • Salimato Sanha,
  • Khumbo M Kalua,
  • Michael P Masika,
  • Abdallahi O Minnih,
  • Mariamo Abdala,
  • Marília E Massangaie,
  • Abdou Amza,
  • Boubacar Kadri,
  • Beido Nassirou,
  • Caleb D Mpyet,
  • Nicholas Olobio,
  • Mouctar D Badiane,
  • Balgesa E Elshafie,
  • Gilbert Baayenda,
  • George E Kabona,
  • Oscar Kaitaba,
  • Alistidia Simon,
  • Tawfik Q Al-Khateeb,
  • Consity Mwale,
  • Ana Bakhtiari,
  • Daniel Westreich,
  • Anthony W Solomon,
  • Emily W Gower

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011103
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 2
p. e0011103

Abstract

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BackgroundTrachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness. To reduce transmission, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) improvements are promoted through a comprehensive public health strategy. Evidence supporting the role of WaSH in trachoma elimination is mixed and it remains unknown what WaSH coverages are needed to effectively reduce transmission.Methods/findingsWe used g-computation to estimate the impact on the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular among children aged 1-9 years (TF1-9) when hypothetical WaSH interventions raised the minimum coverages from 5% to 100% for "nearby" face-washing water (ConclusionsOur results support Sustainable Development Goal 6 and provide insight into potential WaSH-related coverage targets for trachoma elimination. Targets can be tested in future trials to improve evidence-based WaSH guidance for trachoma.