Australian Trachoma Surveillance Report 2013

National results 2013

Page last updated: 2015

National results – Figures

National results –Tables

National results – Figures

Figure 1.1 Trachoma prevalence in children aged 5-9 years in at-risk communities in Australia, 2013

Figure 1.1 is a map of Australia, illustrating the trachoma prevalence in children 5-9 years. Data was provided by the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. Queensland, New South Wales (except for the Western region), Victoria, Tasmania and the South West corner of Western Australia are considered to be areas not at-risk of trachoma or where no data has been collected. The Western New South Wales region had less than 5 % trachoma prevalence identified. In South Australia the Far North region and the York and Mid North region had no trachoma identified; the Eyre and Western region had less than 5 % Trachoma prevalence; and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands had greater than 10 % but less than 20 % trachoma prevalence. In Western Australia the Kimberley, Pilbara and Midwest regions had less than 5% trachoma prevalence; and the Goldfields region had greater than or equal to 5% but less than 10% trachoma prevalence. In the Northern Territory for the regions of Darwin Rural, East Arnhem, Katherine and Barkly less than 5% trachoma prevalence was identified; and the Alice Springs Remote region had greater than 5% but less than 10% of trachoma prevalence identified.

Top of page

Figure 1.2 Number of communities at risk, by year and jurisdiction, Australia, 2007–2013

Figure 1.2 is a line graph illustrating the number of communities’ at–risk of trachoma between 2007 to 2013 in the Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA), Western Australia(WA) and New South Wales(NSW). The data for: NT indicates a slight decreasing trend from 85 communities in 2007 to 80 communities in 2013; SAs trend hovers around 70 communities at-risk for 2007 to 2011 and then declines to 38 communities in 2012 and 22 communities in 2013; WA shows a gradual increasing trend from 72 communities in 2007 to 86 communities in 2010, then decreases to 71 communities in 2013; NSW shows 10 communities potentially at-risk in 2013. NSW has been designated as ‘potentially at risk’ for the mapping exercise.

* In 2013 NSW communities have been designated as “potentially at risk” for the purposes of a mapping exercise

Top of page

Figure 1.3 Number of at-risk communities by jurisdiction, according to trachoma control strategy implemented, Australia, 2013

Figure 1.3 is a histogram illustrating the number of at-risk communities that were screen and/or treated under the Trachoma Control Strategy in the Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and New South Wales (NSW). NT shows 13 communities not screened or treated, 19 communities not requiring screening or treatment, 14 communities screened, 16 communities screened and treated and 18 communities receiving treatment only. SA shows 6 communities not screened, 10 communities screened and 6 communities screened and treated. WA shows 36 communities screened and 35 communities screened and treated. NSW shows 9 communities screened and 1 community screened and treated.

Top of page

Figure 1.4 Population screening coverage in children aged 5-9 years in communities that were screened for trachoma by jurisdiction, Australia, 2013

Figure 1.4 is a bar graph illustrating the population screening coverage in children aged 5-9 years in Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and New South Wales (NSW). NT shows 81% of the population were screened; SA shows 90% of the population were screened.WA shows 90% of the population were screened New South Wales shows 72% of the population were screened.

Top of page

Figure 1.5 Proportion of screened children aged 5-9 years who had a clean face, by year and jurisdiction, Australia, 2007–2013

Figure 1.5 is a line graph illustrating the proportion of screened children aged 5-9 years who had a clean face for the years 2007 to 2013 in the Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and New South Wales(NSW). The trend for NT, SA, and WA remained stable at around 80% until 2011 when SA shows an increasing trend to 90% in 2012 and then dipping slightly to 87% in 2013; the NT decreases to 74% in 2010 and then increases slightly to 78% in 2013, and WA decreases to 74% and then increases to 81% in 2012 and decreases to 73% in 2013. NSW’s proportion was 96% for 2013.

Top of page

Figure 1.6 Trachoma prevalence among screened children* aged 5-9 years, by year and jurisdiction, Australia, 2007–2013

Figure 1.6 is a line graph showing trachoma prevalence trends in the Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and New South Wales (NSW) for the years 2007 to 2013. The data shows: NT’s prevalence spikes at 26% in 2008, remains consistent at 15% in 2007, 2009 and 2010 and decreases to 4% in 2012 and increases slightly to 5% in 2013. SA’s prevalence dips to 2% in 2008, remains at 15% for 2007 and 2009, and decreases to 2% in 2012 and increases to 3.5% in 2013. WA has a consistent prevalence of 15% for 2007 to 2009 with a decreasing trend to 3.8% for 2013. NSW data was only collected for 2013, where there was 0.5% of trachoma prevalence reported.

* Including communities in the Northern Territory that screened in 2013 and those that did not screen in 2013 in accordance with revised guideline instructions (see methodology)

Top of page

Figure 1.7 Number of screened at-risk communities* according to level of trachoma prevalence in 5-9-year-old children, by jurisdiction, Australia, in 2013

Figure 1.7 is a histogram graph showing the number of screened at-risk communities in 2013, in the Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and New South Wales (NSW). The data shows: Of the NT communities, 31 had no trachoma, 9 had greater than 0% but less than 5% trachoma and greater than or equal to 5% but less than 10%, 14 had greater than or equal to 10% but less than 20%, and 5 had greater than or equal to 20%. Of SA communities 10 had no trachoma, 0 had greater than0% but less than5% trachoma, 2 had greater than or equal to 5% but less than 10%, 3 had greater than or equal to 10% but less than 20%, and 1 had greater than or equal to 20%. Of WA communities 41 had no trachoma, 8 had greater than0% but less than 5% trachoma, 10 had greater than or equal to 5% but less than 10%, 3 had greater than or equal to 10% but less than 20%, and 7 had greater than or equal to 20%. Of NSW communities 9 had no trachoma and 1 had greater than or equal to 5% but less than 10%.

* Including communities in the Northern Territory that screened in 2013 and those that did not screen in 2013 in accordance with revised guideline instructions (see methodology)

Top of page

Figure 1.8 Number of communities according to number of years* of trachoma prevalence under 5%, by jurisdiction*† in Australia, 2013

Figure 1.8 is a histogram showing the number of communities by the number of years for which trachoma prevalence has been kept under 5% for the Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and New South Wales (NSW) The data illustrates: For the NT there are: 5 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 1 year; 9 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 2 years; 13 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 3 years; 4 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 4 years and 11 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 5 years. For SA there are: 2 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 1 year; 1 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 2 years; Nil communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 3 and 4 years and 2 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 5 years. For WA there are: 11 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 1 year; 15 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 2 years; 8 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 3 years; 10 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 4 years and 3 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% for 5 years. For NSW there is only 9 communities with trachoma prevalence under 5% cases for 1 year It is recommended in the footnotes that the Methodology section be read in accordance with these charts.

* 5 years with a prevalence below 5% classifies a community as not at risk of trachoma
† Including communities in the Northern Territory that screened in 2013 and those that did not screen in 2013 in accordance with revised guideline instructions (see methodology)

Top of page

Figure 1.9 Number of doses of azithromycin administered for the treatment of trachoma by jurisdiction in Australia, 2007–2013

Figure 1.9 is a line graph showing the number of doses of azithromycin administered for the treatment of trachoma in the Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and New South Wales (NSW). NT shows 317 doses in 2007, increasing sharply to 3940 doses in 2008, decreasing slightly to 3270 doses in 2009 and then a steep increase to 9232 doses in 2013. SA shows 20 in 20017, 7 in 2008, 19 in 2009, no data for 2010, 468 in 2011, 112 in 2012 and 203 in 2013. WA shows 1401 doses in 2007, increasing to 2917 doses in 2008, decreasing to 1181 doses in 2009 and a steady decrease to 700 doses in 2012 with a slight increase of 759 doses in 2013. NSW shows 25 doses in 2013.

Top of page

National results –Tables

Table 1.1 Trachoma control delivery in Australia in 2013
Number of communities
Northern Territory
South Australia
Western Australia
New South Wales
Total
Not at-risk
*In 2013 NSW communities have been designated as “potentially at risk” for the purposes of a mapping exercise
†Communities treated without screening in 2013 as per revised guideline instructions
At risk* (A)
80
22
71
10
183
N/A
Requiring screening for trachoma (B)
42
22
71
10
145
N/A
Screened for trachoma (C)
30
16
71
10
127
15
Requiring treatment only (D)
18
N/A
N/A
N/A
18
N/A
Treated† (E)
17
N/A
N/A
N/A
17
N/A
Screened and/or treated for trachoma (F = C+E)
47
16
71
10
144
15
Requiring neither screening or treatment for trachoma (G=A-B-D)
20
N/A
N/A
N/A
20
N/A
Top of page
Table 1.2 Trachoma screening coverage, trachoma prevalence and clean face prevalence in Australia in 2013
Northern Territory
South Australia
Western Australia
New South Wales
Total
Not at risk
*Jurisdictional estimate
†In communities that were screened for trachoma
Number of communities screened
30
16
71
10
127
15
Age group (years)
5-9
5-9
5-9
5-9
5-9
5-9
Children examined for clean face
1358
768
1510
608
4244
266
Children with clean face
1057
671
1112
581
3421
241
Clean face prevalence (%)
78
87
74
96
81
91
Estimated number* of Aboriginal children in communities†
1681
857
1684
795
5017
380
Children screened for trachoma
1362
768
1508
575
4213
265
Trachoma screening coverage (%)
81
90
90
72
84
70
Children with active trachoma
33
27
57
3
120
3
Active trachoma prevalence (%)
2.4
3.5
3.8
0.5
2.8
1.1
Active trachoma prevalence using projected data (%)
5
3.5
3.8
0.5
4.0
1.1
Top of page
Table 1.3 Treatment strategies by jurisdiction in Australia in 2013
Number of communities
Northern Territory
South Australia
Western Australia
New South Wales
Total
*In the NT whole-of-community treatment was guided by the 2014 guidelines. This is defined as the treatment of all people in the community weighing > 3 kg and living in households with children < 15 years of age. In WA and SA whole-of-community treatment was guided by the 2006 guidelines. This is defined as active cases, household contacts and all children in the community aged 6 months to 14 years.
Required treatment for trachoma
34
6
34
1
75
Treated for trachoma
33
6
34
1
74
Screened and treated
16
6
34
1
57
Received treatment only
17
N/A
N/A
N/A
17
Received 6-monthly treatment
5
N/A
N/A
N/A
5
Did not require treatment
34
10
37
9
90
Treated active cases and households
12
5
27
1
45
Treated the whole of community
21
1
7
0
29
Not treated according to CDNA guidelines
3
0
0
0
3
Top of page
Table 1.4 Trachoma treatment coverage in Australia in 2013
Northern Territory
South Australia
Western Australia
New South Wales
Total
* As per revised guidelines
Age group (years)
0-4
5-9
10-14
15+
All
0-4
5-9
10-14
15+
All
0-4
5-9
10-14
15+
All
0-4
5-9
10-14
15+
All
0-4
5-9
10-14
15+
All
Active cases requiring treatment
3
33
10
..
46
1
27
5
..
33
15
57
22
..
94
0
3
0
..
3
19
120
37
..
176
Active cases who received treatment
3
33
10
..
46
1
27
5
..
33
15
56
22
..
93
..
3
..
..
3
19
119
37
..
175
Active cases who received treatment (%)
100
100
100
..
100
100
100
100
..
100
100
98
100
..
99
..
100
..
..
100
100
99
100
..
99
Estimated contacts requiring treatment
1184
1497
1306
7597
11584
25
41
29
78
173
102
158
140
317
717
2
3
1
16
22
1313
1699
1476
8008
12496
Number of contacts who received treatment
1033
1297
1057
5799
9186
25
41
28
76
170
81
142
128
315
666
2
3
1
16
22
1141
1483
1214
6206
10044
Estimated contacts who received treatment (%)
87
87
81
76
79
100
100
100
97
98
79
90
91
99
93
100
100
100
100
100
87
87
82
77
80
Total number of doses of azithromycin delivered
1036
1330
1067
5799
9232
26
68
33
76
203
96
198
150
315
759
2
6
1
16
25
1160
1602
1251
6206
10219
Estimated overall treatment coverage (%)
87
87
81
76
79
100
100
97
97
99
82
92
93
99
94
100
100
100
100
100
87
88
83
77
81
Doses administered in communities that were treated without screening*
423
498
399
2264
3584
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
423
498
399
2264
3584
Doses administered six-monthly*
552
659
574
3114
4899
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
552
659
574
3114
4899
Top of page
Table 1.5 Trichiasis screening coverage, prevalence and treatment among Aboriginal adults in Australia in 2013
Northern Territory
South Australia
Western Australia
Total
* Population estimate limited to trachoma endemic regions and does not take into account changing endemic regions over time and transiency between regions
† Number of adults examined limited to numbers reported. This number does not account for adults who may be examined in routine adult health checks, and may also include multiple screening
Number of communities screened for trichiasis
56
23
64
143
Age groups
15-39
40+
15-39
40+
15-39
40+
15-39
40+
15+
Estimated population in region*
14087
7146
3385
2121
5898
3450
23370
12717
36087
Adults examined
1106
878
512
1322
161
1656
1779
3856
5635
With trichiasis (% of adults examined)
6
(0.05%)
33
(4%)
0
8
(0.6%)
0
8
(0.5%)
6
(0.3%)
49
(1%)
55
(1%)
Offered ophthalmic consultation
0
13
..
8
0
7
0
28
28
Declined ophthalmic consultation
0
2
..
0
0
1
0
3
3
Surgery in past 12 months
0
23
..
2
0
6
0
31
31
Top of page