Trachoma mapping is the mandate of ministries of health, who consider it part of routine surveillance activities rather than a research activity. For this reason, and because in the largely non-literate rural populations among whom these surveys are conducted, verbal consent is generally more acceptable than written consent, we request informed verbal consent for eye examination from each resident, or in the case of minors, from their parent or legal guardian. Consent is documented in the LINKS application.
Examination for TT is benign. Eversion of the tarsal conjunctivae to allow examination for TF and TI causes only minimal transient discomfort. Following WHO recommendations,26 young children are held by their mother or a community assistant to ensure that they are able to keep still during the examination. This prevents accidental injury to the eye and ensures the process is as quick and as minimally distressing as possible.
TF is generally most common in pre-school-age children, while the prevalence of TT increases with age. Therefore, it is particularly important to ensure that young children and the elderly are proportionately represented in returned survey data. Because people with disabilities or mental health issues are more likely than others to be socioeconomically disadvantaged, and trachoma is associated with poverty,27 (link) we try to ensure that such individuals are not excluded from participating.
The project was approved by the ethics committee of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (reference number 6319), and the appropriate local ethics committee identified by each ministry of health. The work conforms to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Examination for TT is benign. Eversion of the tarsal conjunctivae to allow examination for TF and TI causes only minimal transient discomfort. Following WHO recommendations,26 young children are held by their mother or a community assistant to ensure that they are able to keep still during the examination. This prevents accidental injury to the eye and ensures the process is as quick and as minimally distressing as possible.
TF is generally most common in pre-school-age children, while the prevalence of TT increases with age. Therefore, it is particularly important to ensure that young children and the elderly are proportionately represented in returned survey data. Because people with disabilities or mental health issues are more likely than others to be socioeconomically disadvantaged, and trachoma is associated with poverty,27 (link) we try to ensure that such individuals are not excluded from participating.
The project was approved by the ethics committee of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (reference number 6319), and the appropriate local ethics committee identified by each ministry of health. The work conforms to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki.
