Amhara Regional Health Bureau (ARHB)

This study aims to understand the relationship between trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and mental health disorders over an 18-month study period, by answering the following questions:

1. What is the impact of the blinding stage of trachoma (Trachomatous Trichiasis) on common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and suicidality?
2. Will the validation of the 5-Question Stigma Indicators (5-QSI) generic stigma tool help to measure and monitor stigma in trachomatous trichiasis patients in Ethiopia
3. What are the drivers for mental disorders in TT patients
4. Is there a difference in depression, anxiety and suicidality prevalence between TT cases accepting vs declining TT surgery; and un-operated vs postoperative TT cases? The research team will be trained on good clinical practice through the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP). Following interviews, any patient with TT will be referred for surgery and patients found with a mental health disorder will be referred for care. If a negative impact of blinding trachoma on mental health is noted, the researchers plan to use the results of the study to advocate for additional funding for the trachoma program and highlight the need to address mental health in Ethiopia.

To evaluate 3D photographs of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in the training and assessment of trachoma graders.

Ascertain whether the difference in outcome (measured in rate of post-operative trachomatous trichiasis, or TT), between the posterior lamellar tarsal rotation (PLTR) and bilamellar tarsal rotation (BLTR) is sustained at four years or whether they give different results from what has been found at 1 year.

To understand the nature (quality and quantity) of post epilation lashes and their visual significance in unoperated minor trachomatous trichiasis (TT) cases and case with post-operative trichiasis