Researcher Sami Ahmed Ali Al-Haidari was awarded a PhD degree in Public Health for his dissertation titled: The Burden of Active Trachoma among Children in Highly Endemic Areas Following Mass Drug Administration in Yemen, which was submitted to the Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences –Sana’a University. The dissertation defense was held on Monday, September 28, 2026.
The PhD Viva-Voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
• Prof. Abdullah Abdulaziz Muharram – Sana’a University – Internal Examiner and Chair.
• Prof. Yahya Ahmed Raja’ – Main Supervisor and Committee Member.
• Assoc. Prof. Abdulkhaliq Ahmed Obadi – Thamar University – External Examiner and Committee Member.
The dissertation aimed to assess the prevalence of active trachoma (TF) among children aged one to nine years following three rounds of mass drug administration (MDA), identify factors associated with the disease, and assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to its prevention.
The dissertation reached several findings, most notably that the study included 1,290 children and households, and that the prevalence of active trachoma (TF) decreased from 11.5% in 2013 to 0.9% in 2024, representing a 92.2% reduction.
The findings also showed that all six areas had fallen below the 5% threshold established by the World Health Organization, while unimproved sanitation, nasal discharge, and ocular discharge remained associated with trachoma after multivariable analysis.
The findings further showed that 52.9% of participants had good knowledge, 54.3% demonstrated positive attitudes, and 62.2% reported good preventive practices.
The researcher made several recommendations, most notably continuing community-based surveillance following mass drug administration; strengthening face-washing practices, sanitation, and access to water; conducting targeted assessments for trachomatous trichiasis (TT) among adults; enhancing coordination between the Ministry of Health and water and sanitation sectors; and implementing locally tailored health education programs focused on behavioral change.
The dissertation defense was attended by a number of academics, postgraduate students, researchers, as well as the researcher's colleagues and family members.
الملخص:
Researcher Sami Ahmed Ali Al-Haidari was awarded a PhD degree in Public Health for his dissertation titled: The Burden of Active Trachoma among Children in Highly Endemic Areas Following Mass Drug Administration in Yemen, which was submitted to the Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences –Sana’a University.
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