Intervention and intervention strategy
WORM INFESTATION
The intervention of this programme has been described previously.On top of the eye health training, teachers in the IM (nine schools) were also provided with a height and weight measuring machine and health education material on (1) what constitutes a balanced diet; (2) the importance of sanitation and hygiene with a focus on how to keep a school and home toilet clean and (3) signs of worm infestation in a child and the importance of deworming. They were trained to measure children’s height and weight, identify children with nutrition issues and those with body mass index, BMI <18 kg/mIn April 2017, 60 teachers (n=30 in both IM and VM) were trained to deliver the assigned interventions. Teachers conducted eye health screening, recorded all students screened and identified the students who required follow-up. The performance observation period was from April to January 2018. Children who failed the eye health screening were referred to a designated vision centre for vision management. The optometrist examined the referred children and managed their eye condition. The treatment provided at the vision centre included spectacle provision and basic eye medication. Any cases that could not be managed at the vision centre were referred to Muhimbili Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam for further management.