Prevalence of trachoma

Measure 1.3.1:  The estimated number, and proportion of Indigenous children in at-risk communities with active trachoma

Trachoma is an infectious disease of the eye which can result in scarring, in-turned eye-lashes (trichiasis) and blindness if left untreated. Trachoma is found in some remote areas of Australia. Prevalence data are important for assessing the effectiveness of trachoma control activities.

Figures for measure 1.3.1 presents 2 separate charts showing the prevalence of active trachoma in at-risk Indigenous communities, by various characteristics.

Prevalence of active trachoma in at-risk communities for children aged 5–9 by jurisdiction, 2009 to 2019

This line graph presents changes in the proportion of Indigenous children aged 5–9 with active trachoma from 2009 to 2019 for five jurisdictions and all states combined. The chart shows that, between 2009 and 2019, the estimated prevalence of active trachoma in children aged 5–9 in all at-risk communities fell from 15% to 4.5%.

Prevalence of active trachoma in at-risk communities for children aged 5–9 by jurisdiction, 2019

This vertical bar chart compares the proportion of Indigenous children aged 5–9 with active trachoma, by state and territory. The chart shows that, in 2019, the proportion of children aged 5–9 in the screened communities who had active trachoma was 15% in Western Australia (82 children), 8% in the Northern Territory (168 children) and 1.7% in Queensland (3 children) and in South Australia no children were found with active trachoma.

  • From 2009 to 2019, the estimated prevalence of active trachoma in children aged 5–9 screened in all at-risk communities fell from 15% to 4.5%. The estimated prevalence has been below 5% since 2012.
  • In 2019, the proportion of children aged 5–9 with active trachoma in screened communities was 15% in Western Australian (82 children), 8.2% in the Northern Territory (168 children) and 1.7% in Queensland (3 children). In South Australia, no children were found with active trachoma.
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