Melbourne School of Population and Global Health Emma E Stanford, Fiona D Lange, Carol A Holden, Mitchell D Anjou, Hugh R Taylor Indigenous Eye Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia Why Does Trachoma Persist as a Public Health Problem in Australia? Poster prepared for PHAA 44th Annual and 20th Chronic Diseases Network Conference. Alice Springs, September 2016. Emma Stanford: [email protected] (03) 90358255 www.iehu.unimelb.edu.au | www.facebook.com/cleanfacesstrongeyes Why? What Works? 1. References: 2. SAFE Strategy F for Facial Cleanliness Conclusion Australia is on track to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem by 2020 But we need to keep the pressure on with: Australia is signatory to WHO agreement to eliminate blinding trachoma by 2020 SAFE strategy fully implemented is the agreed approach Anbioc treatment brings infecon rates down but; Clean Faces are needed to stop transmission Access to properly maintained washing facilies is essenal Current Efforts have Reduced the Prevalence of Trachoma in Children Dirty faces are accepted as the norm in many communies (with eye and nose secreons) Poor personal and community hygiene and over crowded living condions Lack of safe and funconal bathrooms with limited access to water, soap, ssues, paper towels and mirrors Restricons around who can fix taps and delays in geng them fixed Cross porolio silos prevent coordinated approach 3. 5. Now 150 communies have 0% prevalence More cross porolio collaboraon as with NT Departments of Educaon and Health will result in sustained efforts Community led iniaves for improved hygiene have made an impact More than 1300 Trachoma Story Kits distributed Promoted through: E for Environmental Improvements Access to safe and funconal bathrooms and washing facilies in homes, schools and childcare What is Required? More effort to reinforce clean faces and improve washing facilies Break down cross porolio silos of Health, Educaon, Environmental health, Housing and Prime Minister and Cabinet Work in partnership with community leaders, key contacts and hygiene programs to strengthen community acon Timely data sharing to focus on “hot-spots” 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% PREVALENCE 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1-9 years 5-9 years Projected 5-9 years Ongoing maintenance and supply of water, soap, ssues, paper towels and mirrors to facilitate good hygiene Environmental improvements to be supported by Health, Educaon, Housing and Prime Minister and Cabinet for community-wide benefit McDonald E, Bailie R, Grace J and Brewster D (2009). "A case study of physical and social barriers to hygiene and child growth in remote Australian Aboriginal communies."BMC Public Health 9: 346-359. WHO Alliance for the Global Eliminaon of Trachoma by 2020. Eliminang Trachoma: Accelerang Towards 2020. hp://www.trachomacoalion.org/GET2020/ Communicable Disease Network Australia (CDNA) Trachoma – Naonal Guidelines for Public Health Units. 2014 hp://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cdna-song-trachoma.htm Naonal Trachoma Surveillance and Reporng Unit. Australian Trachoma Surveillance Report 2015. Baunach E, Lange FD, Lines D, Pedwell B, Cooney R, Taylor HR. The development of culturally safe and relevant health promoon resources for effecve trachoma eliminaon in remote Aboriginal communies Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal. 2012;36(2) Why is trachoma blinding Aboriginal children when mainstream Australia eliminated it 100 years ago? The Conversaon. September 2016. hp://theconversaon.com 1 2 4 4 6 6 4. Trachoma resources available at www.iehu.unimelb.edu.au - CSAs on Radio and TV - Community Videos - Yamba and Milpa Roadshows - Melbourne Football Club Clinics Sustained behaviour change is the key Community partnership and support for keeping children’s faces clean, blowing noses and washing hands Entertaining/interacve local approaches to posively influence health related behaviours - cross porolio collaboraon - strengthened hygiene partnerships and messages - work in partnership with communies Australia needs to ensure resources and focus connues unl trachoma is eliminated 6. 5 Clean Faces, Strong Eyes messages developed with Katherine West Health Board Ngumbin Reference Group, IEH and CDC in NT