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A Systematic Review Examining The Added Value Of Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene Interventions For Preventive Chemotherapy Programs On Reducing The Prevalence Of Trachoma, Anyess R. Travers

Public Health Theses

BACKGROUND: Trachoma is a leading cause of avoidable blindness. Currently, trachoma is endemic in 57 countries, infects approximately 84 million people globally, and continues to threaten over 10 % of the world’s population with the risk of blindness. Caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, blindness due to trachoma is caused by repeated eye infection resulting in the inflammation of the upper eyelid eventually leading the upper lid to pull inward scratching and tearing the cornea causing it to become opaque resulting in loss of vision. The World Health Organization recommends eliminating trachoma as a public health problem using the SAFE …

Examining The Influence Of Economic And Political Factors Upon Access To Improved Water And Sanitation In Select African Nations, 2005-2008, Dlorah C. Jenkins

Public Health Theses

Background:Today, 884 million people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and 2.6 billion are without access to improved sanitation facilities, with the majority of this burden falling upon citizens of the developing world. The purpose of this study was to determine what influence political and economic factors have upon the availability of improved water and sanitation services in developing nations, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods:Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 11 sub-Saharan African nations conducted from 2005-2008 were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. Five WASH-related dependent variables were examined: access to an improved water source, travel …