Personal and environmental hygiene have been identified as crucial determinants in reducing the spread of Trachoma. In countries and comunities where significant improvement in personal hygiene, water supply and disposal of human and animal excreta and domestic solid waste have occured, trachoma has ceased to be a public health problem.
Sanitary infrastructure and services, lifestyle and health related behaviourial factors constitute critical aspects in primary prevention of trachoma. They all need to be included in interventions aiming at the sustaninable and long-lasting reduction or elimination of blinding trachoma. Coincidentally, these measures are among the essential elements of the primary health care approach, as are health education and the treatment of locally endemic diseases. View full report