Prevalence of impaired vision and associated factors among primary school children in primary schools of Addis Ababa, central Ethiopia

Abstract Background Visual impairment refers to reduction of vision resulting in a lower than normal visual acuity. Globally, approximately 1.3 billion adults and children live with some form of vision impairment. Visual impairment is usually asymptomatic, overlooked and affects school performance and other functions. School programs are recommended for early detection and timely interventions. In resource limited countries like Ethiopia, undetected visual impairment, lack of adequate and up-to-date information on the problem remain as huge gaps. Thus, we assessed the prevalence of visual impairment (VI), and the associated factors among children attending government primary schools of Lideta sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods This study was a s chool based cross-sectional study conducted from April to May 2019, using a two staged-cluster sampling method in Lideta sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From the total of 18 government primary schools in Lideta sub-city, 6 were selected using probability proportionate to size (PPS) method. The study population was primary school children aged 7 to 17 in the selected 6 primary schools. A total of 816 primary school children were included in the study. The selected children have undergone screening for the presence of visual impairment and other eye problems. Children’s parents/guardians were interviewed using structured pre-tested questionnaires. Epi-data3.1 and SPSS version 20 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regression was performed to check association between dependent and independent variables. Significance was set at p-value <0.05.Results A total of 773 children were examined for visual impairment. Out of the 773 children, 370 (47.9%) were males and 403(52.1) were females with age range 7 to 17 years and the mean age being 11.69 (SD 2.64). The prevalence of impaired vision among school based children was 4.4%. The causes of visual impairment included: Myopia (43%), Astigmatism with or without Amblyopia (31%), Hyperopia with or without Amblyopia (20%) and others. The students not being aware of eye problem (AOR=2.2, 95%CI: 1.08-4.35) was only significantly associated factor with visual impairment.Conclusion Visual impairment is a public health concern, the causes are treatable. Regular school screening programs and affordable treatment should be available.

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Visual impairment and associated factors among primary school children in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia

African Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ahs.v20i1.60 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 533-542

Author(s):

Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuel ◽

Mohammed Derese Biru ◽

Teshome Gensa Geta ◽

Birhan Abera Areru

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

School Children ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Cross Sectional

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.

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Overweight/Obesity and Associated Factors Among Second Cycle Primary School Children in Kirkos Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Global Advances in Health and Medicine ◽

10.1177/21649561211017883 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 216495612110178

Author(s):

Kidus Fitsum ◽

Gudina Egata ◽

Melake Demena ◽

Berhe Gebremichael

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Low Income ◽

Private School ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Public Health Issue

Background Although overweight/obesity is becoming a public health issue in low income countries, there is a paucity of evidence concerning overweight/obesity in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess the magnitude of overweight/obesity and associated factors among second cycle primary school children in Kirkos Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A school based cross-sectional study was conducted among 482 children from May to June, 2019. Data were collected using a questionnaire and checklist. Data were entered using EpiData version 3.1 and exported into SPSS version 22.0. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with overweight/obesity. Level of statistical significance was declared at p ≤ 0.05. Results The overall magnitude of overweight/obesity was 21.2%. The magnitude of overweight was 13.7% while obesity was 7.5%. Vehicle availability, being from private school, not having friend(s), preferring sweet foods, eating breakfast irregularly, watching movies/Television while eating and physical inactivity were the factors significantly associated with overweight/obesity among second cycle primary school children. Conclusions The magnitude of overweight/obesity was high in the study area. Therefore, health and education sectors should promote healthy lifestyle to curb child overweight/obesity.

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Prevalence of Short Stature and Malnutrition among Egyptian Primary School Children and their Coexistence with Anemia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-23568/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ali M. El Shafie ◽

Zeinab A. Kasemy ◽

Zein A. omar ◽

Safa H. Alkalash ◽

Amal A. salama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Short Stature ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Preventable Risk Factor ◽

Egyptian Children

Abstract Background: Under nutrition and overweight typically occur during nutritional transition periods in developing countries including Egypt. Short stature and anemia are public health concern due to its strong link with malnutrition which is a preventable risk factor. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, underweight and short stature and its concurrence with anemia, also to determine the etiological profile of short stature among primary school children in Egypt.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 33150 Egyptian children aged 6-11 years old from January 2018 to January 2020, allocated in 59 primary schools from diverse geographical districts in Egypt. Complete anthropometric measurements were conducted and applied according to WHO growth charts. Hemoglobin level was measured. Systematic approach to detect the etiology of short stature was applied randomly to a sample of 380 stunted children.Results: The prevalence of underweight was 8.2 %, while obesity and overweight represented 21.8% (9.6% and 12.2% respectively). Overall short stature constituted 17%. The main etiologies of short stature were familial (40.8%) and constitutional (24.2%). Anemia was diagnosed in 26% of children; while concurrent anemia and stunting was reported in 9.9%. Regarding anemia and anemia with stunting were more common among girls (30.0 % (OR=1.50, CI95%: 1.43-1.58) and 11.4% (OR=1.39, CI95%:1.29-1.49) respectively), who were living in rural areas (33.4% (OR=1.96, CI 95%:1.87-2.06) &12.7% (OR= 1.72, CI 95%:1.60-1.85)) and those who had low socioeconomic status )34.6% (OR= 2.54, CI 95%:2.29-2.82) & 17.2% (OR= 3.32, CI 95%:2.85-3.88() respectively. Anemia with stunting was significantly higher among children aged ≥9 years old representing 12% (OR= 1.40, CI 95%:1.30-1.51). Conclusion: Prevalence of short stature, obesity and anemia was high among primary school children in Egypt with a strong concurrence between anemia and stunting. Intensive parental health education and in-depth nutritional assessment are required.

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Prevalence of bullying victimisation among primary school children in South Africa: a population-based study

BMC Research Notes ◽

10.1186/s13104-021-05747-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Donnay Manuel ◽

Sabirah Adams ◽

Mulalo Mpilo ◽

Shazly Savahl

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Primary Schools ◽

National Sample ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

North West ◽

Bullying Victimisation

Abstract Objectives Bullying victimisation (BV) among children in South Africa has been identified as a major public health concern. While several studies report on the prevalence rates of BV, there is currently a dearth of research that reports on the prevalence of BV among a national sample of primary school children. This study determines the prevalence rates of BV among a nationally representative sample of school-going children in South Africa across provinces, age, and gender. The sample comprised 7067 children (boys = 45.6%; girls = 54.4%) between the ages of 10–12-years attending 61 primary schools across the nine provincial regions of South Africa. Results In terms of ‘being hit’ by other children, percentages range from 22.55% (North West) to 33.34% (Free State). Children in Gauteng (33.59%) and Limpopo (38.54%) had the highest percentage of children being ‘left out’ or excluded. Additionally, across all provinces more than 30% of children reported that they had been ‘called unkind names’. Across gender, boys are more likely to experience all three forms of BV (being hit, left out, and called unkind names). The findings further indicate that 10-year-olds reported being ‘hit’ and ‘left out’, whereas a greater percentage of 12-year-olds reported ‘being called unkind names’ (44.28%).

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Prevalence of Short Stature and Malnutrition among Egyptian Primary School Children and their Coexistence with Anemia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-23568/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ali M. El Shafie ◽

Zeinab A. Kasemy ◽

Zein A. omar ◽

Safa H. Alkalash ◽

Amal A. salama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Short Stature ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Preventable Risk Factor ◽

Egyptian Children

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Understanding Achievement in Numeracy Among Primary School Children in Ethiopia: Evidence from RISE Ethiopia Study

10.35489/bsg-rise-wp_2021/071 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dawit T. Tiruneh ◽

John Hoddinott ◽

Caine Rolleston ◽

Ricardo Sabates ◽

Tassew Woldehanna

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Learning Outcomes ◽

School Children ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Primary School Children ◽

School Year ◽

Quantitative Studies

Ethiopia has succeeded in rapidly expanding access to primary education over the past two decades. However, learning outcomes remain low among primary school children and particularly among girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Starting with a systematic review of quantitative studies on the determinants of learning outcomes among primary school children in Ethiopia, this study then examined key determinants of students’ numeracy achievement over the 2018-19 school year. The study focused on Grade 4 children (N=3,353) who are part of an on-going longitudinal study. The two questions that guided this study are: what are the key determinants of numeracy achievement at Grade 4 in primary schools in Ethiopia, and how does our current empirical study contribute to understanding achievement differences in numeracy among primary school children in Ethiopia? We employed descriptive and inferential statistics to examine factors that determine differences in numeracy scores at the start and end of the school year, as well as determinants of numeracy scores at the end of the school year conditional on achievement at the start of the school year. We examined differences across gender, region, and rural-urban localities. We also used ordinary least squares and school ‘fixed effects’ approaches to estimate the key child, household and school characteristics that determine numeracy scores in Grade 4. The findings revealed that boys significantly outperformed girls in numeracy both at the start and end of the 2018/19 school year, but the progress in numeracy scores over the school year by boys was similar to that of girls. Besides, students in urban localities made a slightly higher progress in numeracy over the school year compared to their rural counterparts. Students from some regions (e.g., Oromia) demonstrated higher progress in numeracy over the school year relative to students in other regions (e.g., Addis Ababa). Key child (e.g., age, health, hours spent per day studying at home) and school- and teacher-related characteristics (e.g., provision of one textbook per subject for each student, urban-rural school location, and teachers’ mathematics content knowledge) were found to be significantly associated with student progress in numeracy test scores over the school year. These findings are discussed based on the reviewed evidence from the quantitative studies in Ethiopia.

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Anthropometric Status among 6–9-Year-Old School Children in Rural Areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10101431 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1431 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ngan Hoang ◽

Liliana Orellana ◽

Tuyen Le ◽

Rosalind Gibson ◽

Anthony Worsley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Education Level ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Double Burden ◽

Childhood Undernutrition

A double burden of malnutrition in Vietnamese children has emerged as a key challenge: childhood undernutrition remains a public health concern while childhood overweight/obesity has gradually increased. This study aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and overnutrition among 6–9-year-old primary school children in rural areas of Vietnam, and (2) identify sociodemographic factors associated with undernutrition and overnutrition in this population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October 2016 in 2334 children from eight primary schools in rural areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam. Anthropometric and demographic data were collected. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting, and anthropometric failure was 8.0%, 5.1%, 5.3%, and 11.9%, respectively. Up to 22.1% of children were affected by overweight/obesity, and 31.0% by abdominal overweight/obesity. Low maternal education was associated with higher odds of underweight and anthropometric failure, whereas overweight/obesity or abdominal overweight/obesity were more likely in boys and children of mothers with a high education level. This study provides evidence for a double burden of diseases among primary school children in rural areas in Hai Phong City. Future interventions for the prevention and control of childhood undernutrition and overweight/obesity should take into account child sex and maternal education level.

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Validation of self-reported physical activity by accelerometry in Tanzanian primary school children

10.21203/rs.3.rs-27371/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mary Vincent Mosha ◽

Elizabeth Kasagama ◽

Philip Ayieko ◽

Jim Todd ◽

Sia Msuya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Reference Method ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Reports

Abstract Background: Insufficient physical activity is a serious public health concern. Assessing physical activity accurately in children remains a challenge and valid tools for its assessment in African children are needed. This study compares self-reports versus accelerometry-captured physical activity.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 51 primary school children aged 9 – 11 years from four primary schools in Kilimanjaro region were enrolled. Children were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire on physical activity and wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Accelerometry was used as a reference method to assess for child reporting accuracy.Results: Spearman correlation between self-reports and accelerometry was moderate (r=0.41, p=0.002). Children who reported walking to school had higher moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for both accelerometry and self- reports compared to their counterparts (p < 0.001). Intra-class correlation (ICC) showed that 32% of the variations in accelerometry weekly total MVPA was contributed by the differences in activities between children.Conclusions: Objective measures of physical activity such as accelerometers can be used to accurately measure physical activity in children where feasible. Self-reports have limited validity, and therefore more research is needed to develop better self-reported measures with specific activities which can easily be recalled by children.

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Prevalence of Short Stature and Malnutrition among Egyptian Primary School Children and their Coexistence with Anemia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-23568/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ali M. El Shafie ◽

Zeinab A. Kasemy ◽

Zein A. omar ◽

Safa H. Alkalash ◽

Amal A. salama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Short Stature ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Preventable Risk Factor ◽

Egyptian Children

Abstract Background Under nutrition and overweight typically occur during nutritional transition periods in developing countries including Egypt. Short stature and anemia are public health concern due to its strong link with malnutrition which is a preventable risk factor. Objectives to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, underweight and short stature and its concurrence with anemia, also to determine the etiological profile of short stature among primary school children in Egypt. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 33150 Egyptian children aged 6–11 years old from January 2018 to January 2020, allocated in 59 primary schools from diverse geographical districts in Egypt. Complete anthropometric measurements were conducted and applied according to WHO growth charts. Hemoglobin level was measured. Systematic approach to detect the etiology of short stature was applied randomly to a sample of 380 stunted children. Results The prevalence of underweight was 8.2%, while obesity and overweight represented 21.8% (9.6% and 12.2% respectively). Overall short stature constituted 17%. The main etiologies of short stature were familial (40.8%) and constitutional (24.2%). Anemia was diagnosed in 26% of children; while concurrent anemia and stunting was reported in 9.9%. Regarding anemia and anemia with stunting were more common among girls (30.0% (OR = 1.50, CI95%: 1.43–1.58) and 11.4% (OR = 1.39, CI95%:1.29–1.49) respectively), who were living in rural areas (33.4% (OR = 1.96, CI 95%:1.87–2.06) &12.7% (OR = 1.72, CI 95%:1.60–1.85)) and those who had low socioeconomic status )34.6% (OR = 2.54, CI 95%:2.29–2.82) & 40.4% (OR = 18.46, CI 95%:15.40-22.12() respectively. Anemia with stunting was significantly higher among children aged ≥ 9 years old representing 12% (OR = 1.40, CI 95%:1.30–1.51). Conclusion Prevalence of short stature, obesity and anemia was high among primary school children in Egypt with a strong concurrence between anemia and stunting. Intensive parental health education and in-depth nutritional assessment are required.

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Hand Washing Practice Before Covid-19 Pandemic and Associated Factors Among Primary School Children at Hawassa City Sidama Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-146686/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sisay Tesfaye ◽

Getamesay Mulatu ◽

Siraj Hussen

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hand Washing ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Poor Access ◽

Multistage Sampling

Abstract Objectivesthe aim of this study was to assess hand washing practice before covid-19 pandemic and associated factors among primary school children, Hawassa City, Sidama, Ethiopia MethodAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at primary schools children in Hawassa city, Sidama Ethiopia from February to October 2019. A total of 739 students were selected using multistage sampling techniques. Information about socio demography and associated factors was collected by structured questionnaire.ResultIn this study, about 399 (54%) of the students wash their hands at critical times. Availability of hand washing material, availability soap/ash, availability water and pear influence (AOR =1.75, 95% CI=1.22, 2.23), (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI =2.02, 5.15), (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI=1.07, 2.89),(AOR=0.32 95% CI=0.101,0.98) had higher odds of washing practice respectively.ConclusionThe magnitude of hand washing practice was low in this study before covid -19 pandemic. In this regard, Poor access to hand washing facilities need to strengthen as intervention efforts. Further, health education promotion for hand washing practice could be done in school by Hawassa city administration Education office and better facilities need to avail by the stakeholders.

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