Community ophthalmology: trachoma mass treatment threshold: practice question

A Ophthalmology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Ophthalmology · Community ophthalmology: trachoma mass treatment threshold

Sample item

A district survey finds that 14 percent of children aged 1 to 9 years have trachomatous inflammation (follicular). By the WHO strategy, what community-level action is needed?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Mass azithromycin treatment of the whole community with facial cleanliness and environmental measures

WHO advises annual mass treatment with azithromycin for several years when the prevalence of follicular trachoma in children aged 1 to 9 is 10 percent or more. This is combined with facial cleanliness and environmental improvement, forming the SAFE strategy. The elimination target is a prevalence below 5 percent.

Option by option

  • A. No intervention because the figure is below the threshold

    The figure is above, not below, the 10 percent treatment threshold.

  • B. Surgery for trichiasis only

    Surgery alone treats trichiasis but does not reduce community transmission.

  • C. Treat only children with visible follicles using topical antibiotics

    Treating only visible cases misses carriers and does not interrupt transmission.

  • D. Mass azithromycin treatment of the whole community with facial cleanliness and environmental measures (correct)

    Correct. A prevalence of 10 percent or more calls for mass azithromycin plus the F and E components.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is D, Mass azithromycin treatment of the whole community with facial cleanliness and environmental measures. WHO advises annual mass treatment with azithromycin for several years when the prevalence of follicular trachoma in children aged 1 to 9 is 10 percent or more.

Why is "No intervention because the figure is below the threshold" not the answer?

The figure is above, not below, the 10 percent treatment threshold.

Why is "Surgery for trichiasis only" not the answer?

Surgery alone treats trichiasis but does not reduce community transmission.

Why is "Treat only children with visible follicles using topical antibiotics" not the answer?

Treating only visible cases misses carriers and does not interrupt transmission.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community ophthalmology: trachoma mass treatment threshold in Ophthalmology. This is combined with facial cleanliness and environmental improvement, forming the SAFE strategy. The elimination target is a prevalence below 5 percent.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Community ophthalmology: trachoma mass treatment threshold?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.