Impact of Water and Health Education Programs on Trachoma and Ocular C. Trachomatis in Niger

There are no specific trials addressing the benefit of water provision and health education on prevalence of trachoma and infection with ocular Chlamydia trachomatis over time, despite considerable effort to provide water resources in trachoma endemic areas. Such information is sorely needed, to advance the Global Alliance agenda for the Elimination of Blinding Trachoma. This community-based clinical trial will randomize ten communities in Maradi Niger, half to receive delivery of water and health education services, and half for delivery of services at a later date. We hypothesize that the intervention communities will have lower rates of trachoma and C. trachomatis one and two years after delivery of services compared to communities without such services. This trial will provide, for the first time, solid evidence of the effect of such services on trachoma, as well as the added benefit following antibiotic provision by the Ministry of Health on sustaining reductions in trachoma and infection.