Abstract

CHINEN, Nilton Harunori et al. Epidemiology and operational aspects of trachoma surveillance and control in a school in the Municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2006, vol.15, n.2, pp.69-75. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742006000200008.

Trachoma is a keratoconjunctivitis affecting mainly children. This study describes epidemiological surveillance of trachoma in a municipal school in São Paulo, Brazil, during 1993-1997. Epidemiological investigation forms were analyzed, and 7,751 students and school employees were examined. Active surveillance or active searches , complemented by educational activities, notification of cases, treatment, and control activities were done each year. The detection rate was 4.1% in 1993, 4.0% in 1994, 0.1% in 1995, 0.9% in 1996, and 0.2% in 1997. The cure rate was 84.0%. It was noted that schoolteachers did not regularly focus on health information, and continuous educational activities at the school and specific treatment every year led to a fall in the trachoma rate. The authors suggest emphasizing Health Education as a subject for public schools, with the hope that children would take home lessons learned, strengthening health promotion in the community.

Keywords : trachoma; epidemiological surveillance; health education; schools.

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