Identifying Research Needs to Strengthen Trachoma Control in Vietnam

Project Overview

• Field: Communicable Disease Prevention
• Duration: 03 – 04/2001
• Funder/client: International Trachoma Initiative (ITI)
• Implementing agency: Center for Environmental and Health Studies (CEHS)
• Location: Yên Bái, Vĩnh Phú, Hà Nam, Thái Bình, Thanh Hóa

Introduction

The project identified research needs to strengthen trachoma control in Vietnam as elimination activities were being intensified. Trachoma is an eye infection that can cause blindness, and the international control strategy centers on the SAFE intervention package: surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement.

Vietnam was among the countries that adopted trachoma control activities early, with ITI support; assessing the actual situation and community needs was important for developing appropriate local control plans.

CEHS's Role

CEHS was responsible for designing the research protocol and tools, conducting in-depth interviews with leadership and eye-care technical staff at the provincial, district and commune levels, processing data, and developing the community-needs report to support trachoma control planning.

Key Activities

• Designing the research protocol and tools to assess trachoma control needs.
• Conducting in-depth interviews with leadership and eye-care technical staff at provincial, district and commune levels across 5 surveyed provinces.
• Collecting and analyzing information on status, gaps and community needs related to trachoma control.
• Processing data and developing the report to support planning for strengthened trachoma control.

Key Results

• Identified priority research and intervention needs to strengthen trachoma control in the surveyed provinces.
• Provided field evidence and evidence from the primary healthcare system to support trachoma control planning better suited to local context.
• Helped national and international partners refine directions for implementing trachoma control activities in Vietnam.