Prevalence and spatial distributions of trachomatous inflammation-follicular among children aged 1–9 years in rural areas of Yilmana Densa and Gonji Kolela districts, Northwestern Ethiopia

TF was found to be higher than the WHO recommended threshold of 10% to say that trachoma is a severe public health problem to conduct MDA and eliminate trachoma as a Public Health problem in a community when the prevalence of TF is less than 5%. The results of the study may be used to support the current trachoma control and elimination program, and to help achieve SDG Goal 3 target 3.3 and Goal 6. Intervention against TF may also have an impact on poverty (SDG1) and hunger (SDG2), may improve education (SDG4), work, and economic growth (SDG8). These will be helpful to decide whether the Yilmana Densa and Gonji Kolela Districts meet VISION 2020, "The Right to Sight" (elimination of the major causes of avoidable blindness), an initiative launched in Ethiopia in September 2002. It is recommended that coordinated work on implementing the WHO endorsed SAFE strategy in particular, and enhancing the overall living conditions of the community be given a high priority.