Eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2024: interactive data

The estimated number and proportion of community members treated for trachoma and trichiasis: Measures 3.8.1 and 3.8.2

The estimated number, and proportion of:

1. cases, household and community contacts who were treated in communities where active trachoma was identified
2. First Nations adults with trichiasis who were treated.

The screening and treatment frequency for trachoma in at-risk communities is based on the trachoma prevalence rate (Figure 46 and Figure 47). Treatment for trichiasis is important for preventing vision loss.

Latest data

In 2023, in communities where active trachoma was identified, a total of 1,677 cases and household and community contacts received treatment, or 82% of person requiring treatment. This included 156 persons aged 0–4 years (82% of those requiring treatment), 257 aged 5–9 years (89% of those requiring treatment), 178 aged 10–14 years (83% of those requiring treatment) and 1,086 aged 15 years and over (80% of those requiring treatment) (Figure 47).

Surgery to correct trichiasis was undertaken for 7 people aged 40 years and over in 2023. Four of the 7 surgeries took place in Western Australia.

Figure 47: Community members treated in communities where active trachoma was identified, by age, 2023

Notes

1. ‘Per cent’ relates to percentage of active cases and household/ community contacts treated in communities where active trachoma was identified.
2. Includes data from the 18 communities who received treatment for trachoma.
3. Data are crude rates.

Source: Australian Trachoma Surveillance Reports (Kirby Institute 2013 to 2023 (in press)).

By jurisdiction

In 2023, in communities where active trachoma was identified, the proportion of cases and household and community contacts who received required treatment was 71% in Western Australia (109 persons treated) and 83% in the Northern Territory (1,568 persons treated). No active trachoma cases were identified in South Australia. In Queensland, screening for trachoma was not undertaken in 2023 (Figure 48 – jurisdiction).

Figure 48: Trachoma treatment coverage, communities where active trachoma was identified, by jurisdiction

Notes

1. Estimated as a proportion of those requiring treatment according to national guidelines.
2. Includes data from the 18 communities that required treatment for trachoma. 
3. Data are crude rates.
4. n.s. = No screening

Source: Australian Trachoma Surveillance Report 2023 (Kirby Institute in press).