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Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) surgery is a key strategy for avoiding blindness and visual impairment from trachoma. We compared alternative WHO-endorsed TT surgery techniques, hypothesizing that in a \"real world\" study posterior lamellar tarsal rotation (PLTR) would be associated with less postoperative TT (PTT) than bilamellar tarsal rotation (BLTR). In an ongoing TT control program in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, TT surgeons used their preferred procedure (PLTR or BLTR) for upper eyelids with TT. Logistic regression-crude or adjusting for inter-eye correlation and relevant baseline factors (age, number of trichiatic lashes, epilation, entropion severity, and upper palpebral conjunctival scarring severity)-was used to compare the one-year cumulative incidence of PTT (any upper eyelid lash touching the globe, evidence of epilation and/or repeat TT surgery). Most baseline TT severity markers were worse in the PLTR (855 eyes) than the BLTR (678 eyes) group and PLTR surgeons were less experienced than BLTR surgeons. Nevertheless, one-year cumulative PTT incidences were 8.2% (PLTR) and 21.4% (BLTR; adjusted odds ratio = 0.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.39). Prospectively ascertained postoperative adverse TT surgery outcomes were similar between groups by six months and 12 months postoperatively. When surgeons applied their preferred surgical technique, PTT occurred less than half as often with PLTR than BLTR. These real-world data confirm a prior trial's primary result, suggesting that using PLTR instead of BLTR reduces PTT incidence to a clinically important degree without increasing adverse outcomes. Another recent trial suggests continued BLTR is appropriate for surgeons already trained in that technique. www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04149210.

IntroductionTrachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). The WHO recommends the SAFE strategy for trachoma elimination: Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement. Multiple rounds of SAFE implementation have proven insufficient to eliminate trachoma in Ethiopia, where over 50% of the global trachoma burden remains. More effective antibiotic treatment schedules and transmission-suppressing approaches are needed. The aim of stronger SAFE is to evaluate the impact of a novel package of interventions to strengthen the A, F and E of SAFE on the prevalence of ocular Ct and trachoma in Oromia, Ethiopia.Methods and analysis68 clusters were randomised in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to one of (1) standard A/standard F&E (standard SAFE), (2) standard A/enhanced F&E, (3) enhanced A/standard F&E or (4) enhanced A/enhanced F&E (stronger SAFE). Enhanced A includes two height-based doses of oral azithromycin (equivalent to 20 mg/kg) given as single doses 2 weeks apart, as mass drug administration, annually. Enhanced F&E includes fly control measures (permethrin-treated headwear and odour-baited traps) and face-washing hygiene behaviour change implemented at household level in selected communities. The interventions will be implemented and reinforced over 3 years.The primary outcome is the prevalence of ocular Ct by quantitative PCR in children aged 1–9 years at 36 months. A key secondary outcome is the prevalence of active (inflammatory) trachoma in the same children, assessed by validated trachoma graders and conjunctival photography. Laboratory technicians and photo-graders are masked to treatment allocation. Other important secondary analyses include process evaluations, assessment of behaviour change, fly indicators, adherence and coverage of interventions and a cost analysis.Ethics and disseminationStudy protocols have been approved by the National Research Ethics Review Committee of the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Ethics Committee. An independent data safety and monitoring board oversees the trial. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, presentations and reports.Trial registration number ISRCTN40760473.

Face washing for trachoma, like most public health improvements, necessitates behaviour change, yet traditional educational interventions frequently fail to achieve this goal. Behavioural science frameworks offer guidance to develop alternative types of interventions, helping to translate formative research and insights about the target population and behavioural determinants into more effective strategies. This paper outlines the outputs and decision-making underlying the five-stage process we followed to translate formative research findings into intervention activities and materials: (1) synthesising formative research findings into a creative brief to guide intervention development; (2) selecting behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to address key behavioural targets; (3) selecting an overarching intervention concept; (4) developing intervention content; and (5) finalising the intervention’s Theory of Change. This paper presents our experiences and reflections on the intervention design process, using a practical example of a face washing intervention for trachoma control. The intervention was designed for delivery in the Stronger SAFE trial in rural Oromia, Ethiopia (ISCRTN 40760473).

UNICEF/WHO recommends that infants born to HIV-infected mothers who do not have access to acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable, and safe replacement feeding should be exclusively breastfed for at least 6 months. The aim of three trials in Ethiopia, India, and Uganda was to assess whether daily nevirapine given to breastfed infants through 6 weeks of age can decrease HIV transmission via breastfeeding. HIV-infected women breastfeeding their infants were eligible for participation. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either single-dose nevirapine (nevirapine 200 mg to women in labour and nevirapine 2 mg/kg to newborns after birth) or 6 week extended-dose nevirapine (nevirapine 200 mg to women in labour and nevirapine 2 mg/kg to newborn babies after birth plus nevirapine 5 mg daily from days 8–42 for the infant). The randomisation sequences were generated by computer at a central data coordinating centre. The primary endpoint was HIV infection at 6 months of age in infants who were HIV PCR negative at birth. Analyses were by modified intention to treat, excluding infants with missing specimens and those with indeterminate or confirmed HIV infection at birth. These studies are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT00074399, NCT00061321, and NCT00639938. 2024 liveborn infants randomised in the study had at least one specimen tested before 6 months of age (1047 infants in the single-dose group and 977 infants in the extended-dose group). The modified intention-to-treat population included 986 infants in the single-dose group and 901 in the extended-dose group. At 6 months, 87 children in the single-dose group and 62 in the extended-dose group were infected with HIV (relative risk 0·80, 95% CI 0·58–1·10; p=0·16). At 6 weeks of age, 54 children in the single-dose group and 25 in the extended-dose group were HIV positive (0·54, 0·34–0·85; p=0·009). 393 infants in the single-dose group and 346 in the extended-dose group experienced grade 3 or 4 serious adverse events during the study (p=0·54). Although a 6-week regimen of daily nevirapine might be associated with a reduction in the risk of HIV transmission at 6 weeks of age, the lack of a significant reduction in the primary endpoint—risk of HIV transmission at 6 months—suggests that a longer course of daily infant nevirapine to prevent HIV transmission via breast milk might be more effective where access to affordable and safe replacement feeding is not yet available and where the risks of replacement feeding are high. US National Institutes of Health; US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Fogarty International Center.