SUMMARY
Purpose:
Trachoma is one of the major causes of preventable blindness in the world. The last epidemiological survey in Brazil was carried out in 1974-76. This study was done to evaluate the present status of trachoma in a urban area representative of the distribution of population in the Amazan.
Material and Methods:
The study was carried out in a suburb of Manaus, Brazil, among 949 school children between 6-14 years of age (mean: 10.19). The diagnosis was clinicai according to the World Health Organization protocol.
Results:
Follicular trachoma was diagnosed in 4.85% of the children, with scarring in 0.11%, making up 4. 96% of total prevalence, with a female/male ratio of 713 ( F: 68. 09/ M: 31.91%), peaking from 8 to 11 years of age.
Discussion:
Results suggest that trachoma is not a cause of blindness in the area because of its low prevalence, clinicai presentation in mild forms and prevalence at later ages.
Key word:
Trachoma; Prevention of blindness