scholarly journals Visual impairment and blindness: an overview of prevalence and causes in Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solange R. Salomão ◽  
Márcia R. K. H. Mitsuhiro ◽  
Rubens Belfort Jr
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
School Children ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Refractive Correction

Our purpose is to provide a summary overview of blindness and visual impairment on the context of recent Brazilian ocular epidemiologic studies. Synthesis of data from two cross-sectional population-based studies - the São Paulo Eye Study and the Refractive Error in School Children Study is presented. 3678 older adults and 2441 school children were examined between July 2004 and December 2005. Prevalence of blindness in older adults using presenting visual acuity was 1.51% decreasing to 1. 07% with refractive correction. The most common causes of blindness in older adults were retinal disorders, followed by cataract and glaucoma. In school children, the prevalence of uncorrected visual impairment was 4.82% decreasing to 0.41% with refractive correction. The most common cause of visual impairment in school children was uncorrected refractive error. Visual impairment and blindness in Brazil is an important public health problem. It is a significant problem in older Brazilians, reinforcing the need to implement prevention of blindness programs for elderly people with emphasis on those without schooling. In school-children cost-effective strategies are needed to address a readily treatable cause of vision impairment - prescription and provision of glasses.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Refractive Error and Strabismus in Primary School Children of Tehsil Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21
Author(s):  
Faheem Ullah ◽  
Naheed Mahsood ◽  
Waqas Mohyuddin ◽  
Saadullah Afridi ◽  
Zia Ur Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
School Children ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Public Health

OBJECTIVES: Refractive errors and strabismus continue to remain a significant public health problem. Among school children it has an impact on child development. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of refractive error and strabismus among primary school children. METHODOLOGY: It was a cross-sectional study. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the school children. Data was collected in November-December 2013. Visual impairment was defined as, presenting VA of < 6/12. A total of 2288 children (1746 boys and 542 girls) were screened from 26 randomly selected schools. Stratified sampling technique was used. Data were collected on pre-designed questionnaires and entered and analyzed by SPSS software version 16. RESULTS: The mean age of children was 8.10 + 2.3 years. About 4% children were found visually impaired. The prevalence of refractive error was found to be 5.4%, of which 88.6% was uncorrected refractive error. The prevalence of refractive error was found higher in girls than boys, 6.8% and 5.0% respectively. Among types of refractive error, myopia prevalence was 2.3%, hypermetropia prevalence was 2.0% and astigmatism prevalence was 1.1%. The prevalence of strabismus was 1.3%. Refractive error was found as a main cause of visual impairment in school children. Prevalence of strabismus among this study population is relatively low as compared to the global prevalence of 2% to 5%. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that more study to determine the extent of the problem and possible factors for development of refractive error and strabismus types are needed to mitigate these conditions.

The prevalence and causes of visual impairment in Dariyah, a rural community in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Waleed Alghamdi ◽  
Godwin O. Ovenseri-Ogbomo
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Eye Examination

Background: Visual impairment is disproportionately distributed between rural and urban dwellers. Rural dwellers have limited access to the eye care services that are available in urban cities.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in Dariyah, a rural community in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.Setting: This research comprised a population-based assessment of the vision and visual status of the inhabitants of Dariyah community.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted amongst the inhabitants of the community of Dariyah. A comprehensive eye examination consisting of visual acuity, ocular health examination, objective and subjective refraction was performed. The examinations were conducted by registered ophthalmologists and optometrists from the Qassim University. Vision impairments were categorised according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Section 9D90, ‘Vision impairment including blindness’ (2018).Results: In all, 68 (24.5%) participants had vision impairment (using the better-seeing eye), with refractive errors being the main cause of vision impairment. Other causes of vision impairment included cataract (20, 7.2%), trichiasis (5, 1.8%) and glaucoma (2, 0.7%). Refractive errors were present in 193 (69.7%), with astigmatism being the commonest refractive error. About 60% of those with refractive errors presented without spectacles for correction, and 20% reported that they had never had an eye examination. Refractive errors could not be determined in 19 (6.9%) of the subjects because of conditions such as matured cataract and other ocular abnormalities.Conclusion: Uncorrected refractive error was found to be the leading cause of vision impairment in this rural community in Saudi Arabia.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors for myopia among school children in Aba, Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uchenna C. Atowa ◽  
Alvin J. Munsamy ◽  
Samuel O. Wajuihian
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Significant Difference

Aim: To study the prevalence of myopia among school children in Aba, Nigeria.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in public and private (primary and secondary) schools. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used for selecting participants aged between 8 and 15 years from 12 schools in Aba, Nigeria. Data were analysed for 1197 children who underwent a comprehensive eye examination. The children were divided according to the following criteria: age groups (group 1 [8–11 years] or group 2 [12–15 years]), gender (male or female), level of education (primary or secondary) and type of school (public or private). Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction (SER) ≤ -0.50 D in the poorer eye.Results: The prevalence of myopia was estimated to be 2.7%. Of the 96 children with refractive error, 78.1% were uncorrected. In using logistic regression analysis, risk of developing myopia was associated with older age groups (odds ratio [OR]: 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–9.11; p < 0.010) and higher level of education (OR: 1.73; 95% CI, 1.05–2.86; p < 0.030). There was no significant difference in myopia prevalence between male and female children (p = 0.89).Conclusion: Although the prevalence of myopia and overall prevalence of refractive error in school children in Aba were low, the high prevalence of uncorrected refractive error is a significant public health problem. An effective and sustainable children’s vision screening programme is needed to prevent visual impairment and blindness.

scholarly journals Clinical and epidemiological profile of hypertensive patients at the primary health care level in the state of Alagoas

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 349-357
Author(s):  
Raphaela Costa Ferreira ◽  
Bruna Merten Padilha ◽  
Yasmin Eugênia Santos e Silva Pedrosa ◽  
Rosielle Batista Ferreira ◽  
Poliana Coelho Cabral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Epidemiological Profile

Study design: This was a cross-sectional, population-based and descriptive study. Study objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of hypertensive patients at the primary health care of Alagoas state. Methods: This study was carried out in the Basic Health Units of 12 cities of Alagoas, between 2014 and 2015, with hypertensive individuals between 20 and 60 years, of both gender. Socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, lifestyle, anthropometric and biochemical data were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics by Epi-Info version 7. Results: We evaluated 645 individuals. Of these, 86.2% were women, 62.3% had uncontrolled blood pressure, 41.9% had low educational level, 11.1% were smokers, 26.3% were alcohol users, 64.7% were sedentary, 48.4% were obese, 73.6% had high cardiovascular risk, according to waist circumference; 54.4% and 47.2% had elevated total cholesterol and triglycerides, respectively. Conclusion: Since hypertension is an important public health problem that has serious consequences, the knowledge of the hypertensive population profile of Alagoas will facilitate the treatment for the health of patients with this condition.

scholarly journals Faktor risiko gizi kurus pada anak sekolah dasar Negeri Kulam Data Kecamatan Lhoknga Kabupaten Aceh Besar

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Cut Affianijar ◽  
Agus Hendra Al Rahmad ◽  
Alfridsyah Alfridsyah ◽  
Suryana Suryana
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
School Children ◽  
School Health ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Wasting is nutritional status in school children. In the community it is known as thin nutrition which is an important public health problem because it has a big impact. Thin nutrition can increase the risk of illness and death in children.Objectives: To  determine  the  risk  factors  for  wasting  nutrition  in  children  of  Kulam  Data Elementary School in Lhoknga District.Methods: This study is descriptive analytic with cross-sectional research design. The number of samples is 57 people. The research variables consisted of diet, energy intake, protein intake and nutritional status with the incidence of wasting nutrition in school children in Kulam Data Elementary School Lhoknga District. Aceh Besar District. The study was conducted in June 2019. Data analysis used a chi-square test with a desired level of confidence of 95%. Research data is presented in tabular and textual forms.Results: The results of the study showed that more energy intake was in the sufficient category (84.4%). While the diversity of food consumption is more in the medium category which is equal to 64.7%. There is an influence between energy intake on the incidence of wasting nutrition in school children (p= 0.022) and there is an influence  between  the  diversity of  food  consumption  on  the  incidence  of  wasting  in  school children (p= 0.041).Conclusion: Regarding energy intake, the diversity of food consumption with balanced wasting nutrition. To  avoid  malnutrition,  treatment  is  needed  from  the  school,  health  center,  and parents. This is necessary so that children can meet the nutritional needs of energy sources, proteins, fats in accordance with the portion of balanced nutrition.

scholarly journals Multimorbilidade em Portugal: Dados do Primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Saúde com Exame Físico

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Quinaz Romana ◽  
Irina Kislaya ◽  
Mário Rui Salvador ◽  
Susana Cunha Gonçalves ◽  
Baltazar Nunes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Portuguese Population ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Definition Of

Introduction: The simultaneous presence of multiple chronic diseases in the same individual is recognized as an important public health problem. Patients with multimorbidity have greater healthcare needs, which represents a higher burden on health services. Although there is no consensual definition of this concept, multimorbidity is usually defined as the presence of two or more chronic diseases in the same patient. The existence of evidence regarding multimorbidity will lead to more efficient management and treatment of these patients.Material and Methods: In order to estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity and to identify the associated factors, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was developed based on data from the INSEF, a population-based survey conducted on a representative probability sample of the Portuguese population (n = 4911). The prevalence of multimorbidity was estimated for the total population and separately for men and women, stratified by age group, region, education and income. The magnitudes of the associations were measured by the adjusted prevalence ratios calculated by the Poisson regression model.Results: Prevalence of multimorbidity was 38.3% (95% CI: 35.4% to 41.3%), with higher frequency in women, older people, Lisbon and Tagus Valley; Northern Portugal; Algarve and Alentejo regions and in those with lower academic qualifications. No association was found between multimorbidity and income.Discussion: Multimorbidity affects more than one third of the Portuguese population. Epidemiological data about multimorbidity in Portugal allows the identification of population groups with higher multimorbidity prevalence.Conclusion: Our results, which highlight the greater risk of multimorbidity among older and less instructed people, are in line with the literature. These results show the relevance of multimorbidity patients and are especially important in the way how healthcare is organized and provided.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B vaccination in adolescents living in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 552-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Maria Stolses Bergamo Francisco ◽  
Maria Rita Donalisio ◽  
Filomena de Jesus Oliveira Gabriel ◽  
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional

INTRODUCTION: Viral hepatitis is an important public health problem in Brazil and around the world. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vaccination coverage against hepatitis B in adolescents and to identify the associated factors and reasons for non-adherence. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study with sampling by clusters and in two stages, carried out from records of 702 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years old, non-institutionalized, living in an urban area of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, in 2008/2009. The data were obtained from the Health Survey in the city of Campinas (ISACamp). RESULTS: The prevalence of vaccination (3 doses) was 72.2%. An independent and negative association with the vaccine was observed for the adolescents who were not born in the municipality. The orientation of a health care provider was positively and significantly associated with vaccination. The main reasons for non-adherence were the lack of orientation and not considering the vaccine necessary. Socioeconomic factors, health behaviors and conditions did not restrict the access to vaccination, but the coverage was below the target established by the Ministry of Health in Brazil. CONCLUSION: Health education programs, addressing the importance of vaccination to prevent the disease; strategies to actively reach out adolescents that did not complete the schedule; as well as orientation from the health care professional about the benefits of the vaccine to the adolescents, parents and guardians can extend the vaccination coverage.

scholarly journals Myopia in school children from high mountain region of Nepal

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirjana Adhikari
Keyword(s):  
Large Population ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Mountain Region ◽  
Socioeconomic Background ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Ophthalmological Examination ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Refractive Correction

Objective: Myopia is emerging as a public health problem in school going children. Prevalence of myopia differs in different geographical areas, race, ethnic groups and socioeconomic background. Purpose of this study was to find out myopia prevalence in schoolchildren from very high mountain region of Nepal. Materials and methods: It was a cross sectional descriptive study. Vision screening was conducted in Snowland School among the children who come from high mountain region. Vision screening was done by volunteers using standard Snellen’s chart. Those who failed screening test underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist. Results: A total of 140 children had their vision assessed. Mean age was 13.9yrs (±2.8yrs SD). On screening, 28.5% children (n=40) had vision less than 6/9 in at least one eye. Seven children were already wearing myopic glasses, among which only 2 had vision 6/9 or better. Out of 40 children, 10% (n=4) had vision 6/9 or better and 90% (n=36) had refractive error. Out of these 36 children, myopia was present in all (100%).Hence prevalence of Myopia in total school population was 27% (n=38).All the children had simple Myopia from 0.5D-3.5D. After refractive correction, all the children had best corrected visual acuity of 6/9 or better. 86 % (n=120) children never had their eyes checked before. Conclusion The study showed high prevalence of myopia and was only ocular morbidity present in children. The result of this study can be a baseline in conducting large population based study in children from high mountains of Nepal. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(10): 246-249 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i2.8737

scholarly journals Profile of refractive errors and amblyopia in 5-15 yrs of school going children at a Union territory tertiary health centre

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1929
Author(s):  
Ezhilvathani N. ◽  
Suruthi P. ◽  
Jeiganesh M.
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Positive Family History ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Health Care Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Poor vision in childhood affects performance in school and has a significant impact on future life of child in terms of education and development. Current study aims at detecting the magnitude and patterns of refractive errors with amblyopia screening so that effective measures can be planned at the right time to minimize the burden.Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study conducted on 200 children between 5-15 years attending the ophthalmology OPD of a tertiary health care centre, Puducherry. Interpretation and data analysis were done by SPSS software version 13.0.Results: Mean age of presentation was 9 years. Female to male ratio in the present study was 1.3:1. Positive family history was noted among 48 children suggesting strong impact of genetic factor in refractive errors. Among 20 children who were already on spectacle correction, the most common refractive error was compound myopic astigmatism. Among 30 children who were diagnosed with amblyopia, 8 children below 8 years of age had improved vision on 1 month follow up of post treatment with spectacles and occlusion therapy and 22 children did not show improvement suggesting amblyopia can be corrected if intervention was instituted before the age of 8 years.Conclusions:Refractive errors with or without amblyopia is a significant cause of childhood visual impairment. Though it is a hospital-based study, the results were in consistent with previously published hospital and population based study. This study also expected to serve as a tool for primary health care physicians to have an overview of magnitude and patterns of refractive errors in children presenting to hospital since refractive error is a significant public health problem worldwide.Background: Poor vision in childhood affects performance in school and has a significant impact on future life of child in terms of education and development. Current study aims at detecting the magnitude and patterns of refractive errors with amblyopia screening so that effective measures can be planned at the right time to minimize the burden.Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study conducted on 200 children between 5-15 years attending the ophthalmology OPD of a tertiary health care centre, Puducherry. Interpretation and data analysis were done by SPSS software version 13.0.Results: Mean age of presentation was 9 years. Female to male ratio in the present study was 1.3:1. Positive family history was noted among 48 children suggesting strong impact of genetic factor in refractive errors. Among 20 children who were already on spectacle correction, the most common refractive error was compound myopic astigmatism. Among 30 children who were diagnosed with amblyopia, 8 children below 8 years of age had improved vision on 1 month follow up of post treatment with spectacles and occlusion therapy and 22 children did not show improvement suggesting amblyopia can be corrected if intervention was instituted before the age of 8 years.Conclusions: Refractive errors with or without amblyopia is a significant cause of childhood visual impairment. Though it is a hospital-based study, the results were in consistent with previously published hospital and population based study. This study also expected to serve as a tool for primary health care physicians to have an overview of magnitude and patterns of refractive errors in children presenting to hospital since refractive error is a significant public health problem worldwide.

scholarly journals Depressive symptomatology among residents of the rural area of a city in Southern Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 11s
Author(s):  
Roberta Hirschmann ◽  
Ana Paula Gomes ◽  
Helen Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Rural Area ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral and health factors associated with depressive symptomatology in rural residents. METHODS: This is a population-based, cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 1,453 residents aged 18 years or over of the rural area of the city of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to evaluate depressive symptomatology, considering the cutoff point ≥ 8 points. We evaluated the association between the outcome and the independent variables using Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptomatology was 35.4% (95%CI 31.5–39.3). After adjustment, the depressive symptomatology was higher among women (PR = 1.77, 95%CI 1.46–2.15), individuals with low education level (0–4 years of study) (PR = 1.62, 95%CI 1.22–2.16), worse socioeconomic conditions (classes D or E) (PR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.22–1.83), and with chronic diseases (PR = 1.74, 95%CI 1.24–2.45). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of depressive symptomatology in rural residents indicates the relevance of depression as an important public health problem in this population. Specific attention should be aimed at the subgroups that presented the highest prevalence of symptomatology

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