Narok, Kenya – Narok County has reported a significant decrease in trachoma prevalence, dropping from 30 percent in 2011 to 10 percent in 2023. This reduction is highlighted in a survey conducted by the County Government in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to Kenya News Agency, Edward Ole Tankoi, who spoke at a Health stakeholders’ meeting held in Narok today, the county was initially among the 12 endemic counties in Kenya with a high trachoma prevalence. Although there has been a notable decrease in trachoma cases, Narok remains at a higher risk compared to other counties.
Tankoi attributed this decline to successful public awareness campaigns about the disease and numerous medical camps organized for treatment. He noted that the most affected sub-counties in 2011 were Trans Mara West, Trans Mara East, and Narok East Sub-counties. However, there has been a substantial drop in trachoma cases following interventions in these areas.
Despite the overall decrease, Narok West Subcounty still recorded a prevalence of 11.5 percent in 2023, which is slightly above the county average. As a response, Tankoi announced that a mass drug administration (MDA) program would be conducted in Narok West Subcounty to further reduce the disease’s prevalence.
The high incidence of trachoma in Narok West Subcounty is linked to low toilet coverage. Tankoi pointed out that many families in the subcounty lack proper sanitation facilities such as pit latrines.
Rostan Lekuye, the County Eye Care Coordinator, stated that efforts would be concentrated in Naikarra and Siana wards, which are heavily affected by trachoma. Lekuye explained that the primary cause of trachoma is open defecation, with flies transferring bacteria from human waste to human eyes.
The goal for this year’s MDA, as Lekuye mentioned, is to reduce trachoma prevalence to below 5 percent, a target already achieved in all sub-counties except Narok West and Narok South. The ultimate aim is to bring down trachoma prevalence to below 1 percent.
The MDA in Siana and Naikarra wards is scheduled to take place from January 15 to January 19 this year, marking a crucial step in the county’s ongoing fight against trachoma.
