scholarly journals The Prevalence of Visual Acuity Impairment among School Children at Arada Subcity Primary Schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haile Fentahun Darge ◽  
Getahun Shibru ◽  
Abiy Mulugeta ◽  
Yinebeb Mezgebu Dagnachew

Background. Visual impairment and blindness are major public health problems in developing countries where there is no enough health-care service. Objective. To determine the prevalence of visual impairment among school children. Materials and Methods. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 June 2015 and 30 November 2015 at Arada subcity primary schools, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Two schools were selected randomly, and 378 students were screened from grades 1 to 8 using systematic random sampling method. Snellen chart was used for visual acuity test. Students who had visual acuity of ≤6/12 were further examined by an ophthalmologist to diagnose the reason for low vision. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results. A total of 378 students were screened, and 192 (50.8%) were females and the remaining 186 (49.2%) were males. The prevalence of visual impairment (VA) of ≤6/12 on either eye was 5.8%, VA < 6/18 on either eye was 1.1%, and VA < 6/18 on the better eye was 0.53%. In this study, color blindness [OR: 19.65, 95% CI (6.01–64.33)] was significantly associated with visual acuity impairment. Conclusion. The prevalence of visual impairment among school children in the study area was 5.8% and school screening is recommended.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 533-542
Author(s):  
Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuel ◽  
Mohammed Derese Biru ◽  
Teshome Gensa Geta ◽  
Birhan Abera Areru

Background: Visual impairment is one of the major public health problems worldwide, especially in developing countries. Objective: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated factors among school children in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in eight primary schools of Gurage Zone. A total of 1064 pupils, of whom589 boys and 475 girls were selected using multistage sampling technique. Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were collected using structured questionnaires and visual acuity was measured using Snellen’s chart. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of visual impairment. Results: The prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%. Factors significantly associated with visual impairment were age group of 13-18 years (AOR = 9.44, 95% CI = 3.83 – 23.25), school grade level of 5- 8 (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.23 – 7.17), rural residents (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.22 – 5.54), family’s monthly income of less than 2000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.08 – 7.61) and visually impaired parents (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.06 – 4.39). Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%. Keywords: Visual impairment; primary school children; Gurage Zone; Southern Ethiopia. 


1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-131
Author(s):  
MK Sharma ◽  
H Thapa ◽  
B Paudyal ◽  
RK Adhikari ◽  
K Dhakwa

Introduction: There is an increasing awareness about the needs of students with low vision, particularly in developing countries where programs of integrated education are being developed. However, the appropriate low vision services are usually neither available, nor affordable. Objectives: To study the profile of students with low vision in Lumbini Zone of Nepal. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study included students with low vision from 8 integrated schools. The reading performance was measured using their own text-books with optical low vision devices prescribed for near reading. The reading rates were measured on a range of print sizes. The Standard Clinical Low Vision Assessment Form and the National Low Vision Program protocol were used. SPSS software was used in data analysis. Results: Of 46 students enrolled, 23 had a mild visual impairment, 18 had severe visual impairment and 5 were blind. Spectacles were needed for 29 (63 %) students. Of the 11 students who had been wearing glasses, the visual acuity improved in 4 with a change in prescription. 91 % of the students had near vision better or equal to 1.5 M with optical low vision services for near reading. The reading rate was 24 WPM at the age of 5 years, whereas at the age of 21 years, it was 55 WPM. Conclusion: The majority of the students with low vision need optical low vision services. Accurate refraction is important in these students. The reading rate increases significantly with improved near visual acuity. Keywords: low vision aids; low vision rehabilitation; low vision treatment DOI: 10.3126/nepjoph.v2i2.3719 Nep J Oph 2010;2(2) 127-131


Author(s):  
Abdul Rauf Awan ◽  
Junaid Jamshed ◽  
Muhammad Mushtaq Khan ◽  
Zahid Latif

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Vision loss<strong> </strong>in childhood has serious implications in all stages of child’s growth and development. It poses social, educational and occupational challenges, with affected children being at greater risk of developing behavioral, psychological and emotional problems, lower self-esteem and poorer social integration. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and identify the causes of visual impairment and blindness in school children of UC Gojra, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan so that prevention strategies could be implemented.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a<strong> </strong>school-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among public and private schools. A multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was used for selecting study participants aged 5-20 years from 24 schools in Muzaffarabad. The vision of school children was examined for visual acuity using standard Snellen chart. Those participants who had visual acuity of &lt;6/18 in either eye underwent a more detailed ophthalmic examination to diagnose the causes of VI. An exploration of demographic variables was conducted using Chi-square test.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of participants was 10±2.83.<strong> </strong>The prevalence of visual impairment was 19.6% and 2.3% for severe visual impairment. The age group most affected by VI was 11-15 years (74.2%). There were increased chances of developing VI with advancing age of the participants. Males contributed 88.7% of the cases of VI while females contributed only 11.3%. The class category 5-6 had higher percentage of VI cases (32.7%). Public schools contributed 52.8% of the cases of VI while for private schools the corresponding percentage was 47.2%. The leading cause of VI was refractive error (89.3%) followed by amblyopia (5.0%). Other causes of VI included cataract (1.2%), corneal disease (1.8%), strabismus (1.8%) and nystagmus (0.6%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> There is a need to implement school health policy on visual screening prior to admissions in schools and annual eye screening program for early detection and prompt treatment of eye problems among school children in Muzaffarabad.</p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Kasim ◽  
Soliman Amer ◽  
Mohamed Mosaad ◽  
Alaa Abdel-Wahed ◽  
Hazem Allam

Cutaneous warts are common in children worldwide, although the prevalence figures are conflicting. There are few publications on that issue, particularly in rural Egypt. The present cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of warts of hands in rural primary school children and to examine some risk factors associated with warts in these children. The study examined 1833 children from 15 rural primary schools in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt, for the presence of warts. Data about sociodemographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors were collected. Prevalence of warts was estimated. Appropriate statistical analyses including multivariate logistic regression were done. The prevalence of warts of hands in the studied children was 2.3% (1.3–3.3%) with no significant sex difference. The risk of warts increased significantly in children reported swimming in Nile channels (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 5.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.9–10.6) and child labor (adjusted OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 2.3–8.8). A ninety percent risk reduction was observed in children with educated parents. The study findings demonstrated a significant increase in the risk of warts among rural children reported swimming in Nile channels and child labor. Parents’ education, on the other hand, was found to play an important role in risk reduction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haşim Çapar ◽  
Özgür Aslan

Introduction: Although many factors can affect the choice of destination in medical tourism, some factors are indispensable to medical tourists and medical tourism. The aim of this study was to analyze important factors affecting the selection of a destination by potential medical tourists. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study, conducted in Turkey, included a population of 1700 people and a sample size of 317 people selected through purposive sampling. Values were evaluated with a 95% confidence interval and 0.05 standard error. A value of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The medical tourism scale and a demographic information form were used in data collection. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and path analysis were used as statistical methods. Analyses were made using IBM SPSS-AMOS 25.0. Results: In this study, 56.5% of the participants were male and 43.5% were female. The factors affecting the selection of medical tourism destinations were determined to be, in order of importance, accessibility of health care service (X̄ = 4.68 ± 1.073), level of security and safety (X̄ = 4:57 ± 1.122), quality of health care service (X̄ = 4:39 ± 1.129), level of hygiene (X̄ = 4.16 ± 1.381), potential of savings-low cost (X̄ = 4.07 ± 1.447), and tourism opportunities (X̄ = 4.02 ± 1.540). Conclusion: It is thought that the current study will make a serious contribution to the field of medical tourism both in practice and in theory.


Author(s):  
Chhaya Shori ◽  
Rakesh Shori ◽  
Gannaram Laxmiprasad ◽  
Ashalatha Alli

Background: Intraocular lens implantation is the only surgical approach available mostly in developing countries. Thus cataract constitutes as the leading cause of blindness in developing countries as many patients with cataract do not have access to hospitals and surgery. Objective was to study the clinical and ophthalmologic profile of patients undergoing cataract surgery.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out among 100 cataract patients assigned to undergo conventional extra capsular cataract excision surgery for a period of two years in a tertiary care referral hospital. One day before the surgery these patients were admitted to the indoor wards of department of ophthalmology. From each patient, detailed history was obtained. Visual acuity was checked with Snellen’s visual acuity chart and pinhole improvement was noted.Results: Maximum prevalence was seen in the age group of 51-60 years i.e. 37% followed by 61-70 years of 30%. Thus cataract is seen more commonly in the age group of above 50 years. Prevalence of cataract was more in females (59%) as compared to 41% in males. Cortical cataract constituted 86% of total cases and remaining 14% were constituted by nuclear type of cataract. Majority of the patients i.e. 59% had visual acuity of less than 1/60 followed by 33% of having 5/60 to 1/60. 58% of the patients had against the rule type of astigmatism. 34% of the patients had with the rule type of astigmatism. Only 8% had NOA type of astigmatism.Conclusions: Increasing age and female gender were the most important risk factors in the present study. Cortical type of cataract was more common than nuclear type of cataract. Maximum had low vision.


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