RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Accuracy, acceptability and feasibility of photography for use in trachoma surveys
A mixed methods study in Tanzania
Bisanzio, D., Butcher, R., Turbé, V., Matsumoto, K., Dinesh, C., Massae, P., Dejene, M., Jimenez, C., Macleod, C., Matayan, E., Mpyet, C., Pavluck, A. L., Saboyá-Díaz, M. I., Tadesse, F., Talero, S. L., Solomon, A. W., Ngondi, J., Kabona, G., Uisso, C., ... Harding-Esch, E. M. (2024). Accuracy, acceptability and feasibility of photography for use in trachoma surveys: A mixed methods study in Tanzania. International Health, 16(4), 416-427. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihad111
BACKGROUND: Photography could be used to train individuals to diagnose trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) as trachoma prevalence decreases and to ensure accurate field TF grading in trachoma prevalence surveys. We compared photograph and field TF grading and determined the acceptability and feasibility of eyelid photography to community members and trachoma survey trainers.
METHODS: A total of 100 children ages 1-9 y were examined for TF in two Maasai villages in Tanzania. Two images of the right everted superior tarsal conjunctiva of each child were taken with a smartphone and a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. Two graders independently graded all photos. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with community members and Tropical Data trainers.
RESULTS: Of 391 photos, one-fifth were discarded as ungradable. Compared with field grading, photo grading consistently underdiagnosed TF. Compared with field grading, DSLR photo grading resulted in a higher prevalence and sensitivity than smartphone photo grading. FGDs indicated that communities and trainers found photography acceptable and preferred smartphones to DSLR in terms of practicalities, but image quality was of paramount importance for trainers.
CONCLUSIONS: Photography is acceptable and feasible, but further work is needed to ensure high-quality images that enable accurate and consistent grading before being routinely implemented in trachoma surveys.
