Active Trachoma Screening in Hà Giang

Project Overview

• Field: Communicable Disease Prevention
• Duration: 11 – 12/2004
• Funder/client: International Trachoma Initiative (ITI)
• Implementing agency: Center for Environmental and Health Studies (CEHS)
• Location: Hà Giang province, Vietnam

Introduction

The project screened primary school students in Hà Giang province for active trachoma, determining disease prevalence among children in the surveyed areas. Screening results provided a basis for assessing intervention needs, tracking community transmission risk, and proposing appropriate control activities. Children are typically prioritized for active trachoma surveillance as they can carry and transmit the causative agent within the community.

CEHS's Role

CEHS organized the screening activity under the technical leadership of Dr. Lê Thị Ngọc Hà and Dr. Hoàng Năng Trọng. The consulting team was responsible for field planning, coordinating school-based screening, ensuring data collection procedures, processing data, and finalizing the results report.

Key Activities

• Planning and preparing active trachoma screening at primary schools in Hà Giang province.
• Conducting active trachoma screening for all students at 60 primary schools.
• Recording, verifying and consolidating screening information by area, school and target group.
• Processing and analyzing field survey data.
• Developing the results report to support status assessment and shape local trachoma control measures.

Key Results

• Completed active trachoma screening for students at 60 primary schools in Hà Giang province.
• Collected field data on active trachoma status among primary school students in the surveyed areas.
• Provided a basis for risk assessment, identifying surveillance needs and developing trachoma control intervention plans locally.
• Finalized the consolidated report, data analysis, and proposed directions for monitoring and managing trachoma in schools and communities.