scholarly journals Prevalence of Refractive Error Among Early Primary School Age Children in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area, Nigeria.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Obumneke Ogbonna

Abstract Introduction Refractive error is one of the major causes of blurred vision. It is a common eye disorder even in children. The World Health Organization had estimated refractive error to cause visual impairment to about 153 million people around the world with over 1.4 million children affected. Eighty percent (80%) of whom live in developing countries. The right to sight, a global initiative launched by World Health Organization, has the main aim of eliminating avoidable visual impairment and blindness at a global level. In order to achieve this goal, visual screening in pre-school and school children has long been a tradition in developed nations of the world. The significance of this cannot be overemphasized, especially with the already established correlation between school performance and visual status. However, in developing countries visual screening for children is not yet well established, thereby leaving many children with undetected refractive error, which could result in visual impairment. This study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of refractive error among early primary school age children at Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area(LGA) in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. It employed a multi-staged sampling method to recruit 205 pupils aged 5-9 years attending schools in Ado-Odo Ota as study participants to determine the prevalence of refractive error among the pupils attending primary schools in this area. Following ocular pathology screening for the children, subjects found fit were refracted both objectively and subjectively using auto-refractor and trial lenses respectively. Result: A prevalence of 30.73% of refractive error was recorded. Myopia had the highest prevalence (24.88%), followed by astigmatism 3.42% and hyperopia with the least prevalence of 2.44%. Older children had higher frequencies of refractive error than the younger ones with the males having more refractive error than the females (19.51% and 11.22%) respectively. Conclusion: The study concluded that refractive error is significantly present among this population and recommended that parents should ensure that their children are screened for refractive error, and that government should introduce school health programs to curb the growing menace of visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadrack Muma ◽  
Stephen Obonyo

Abstract Background: Visual impairment is the partial or complete loss of vision and it is attributed to uncorrected refractive error. In Kenya, little attention has been directed towards children vision and causes of visual impairment. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the children population of Kenya.Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study included 3400 (1800, 52.9% female) randomly selected children with a mean age of 12 ± 2 years (range 5–16 years). Visual acuity was taken using Snellens chart at 6 meters. Anterior and posterior segment was assessed using slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. The World Health Organization definition formed the baseline for calculating the mean prevalence of visual impairment.Results: Visual acuity measurements were available for 3240 (95.3%) participants. The mean prevalence of visual impairment, based on pin-hole value, using World Health Organization definition, was 1.7 ± 0.3%. The prevalence of visual impairment, based on presenting visual acuity value, was 2.4 ± 0.7%, using the World Health Organization definition. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of visual impairment on pin-hole, according to World Health Organization definition increased significantly with increasing age (odds ratio 1.230, P=.021) and increased uncorrected refractive error (odds ratio 0.834, P = .032). Cases of uncorrected refractive error remained the main cause for presenting visual impairment. Causes of visual impairment due to presenting visual acuity were nystagmus (14%), amblyopia (24%) and uncorrected refractive error (62%).Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment in Kenya is associated with age. Uncorrected refractive error remains the major causes of visual impairment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadrack Muma ◽  
Stephen Obonyo

Abstract Background Visual impairment is the partial or complete loss of vision in which the presenting visual acuity lie between 6/18-no perceptions of light. In Kenya, little attention has been directed towards children vision and causes of visual impairment. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the children population of Kenya. Methods This cross-sectional population-based study included 3400 (1800, 52.9% female) randomly selected children with a mean age of 12 ± 2 years (range 5–16 years). Visual acuity was taken using Snellens chart at 6 m. Anterior and posterior segment was assessed using slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. The World Health Organization definition formed the baseline for calculating the mean prevalence of visual impairment. Results Visual acuity measurements were available for 3240 (95.3%) participants. The mean prevalence of visual impairment based on pin-hole value was 1.7 ± 0.3% using World Health Organization definition. The prevalence of visual impairment based on presenting visual acuity value was 2.4 ± 0.7% using the World Health Organization definition. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of visual impairment on pin-hole increased significantly with increasing age (odds ratio 1.230, P = .021) and uncorrected refractive error (odds ratio 0.834, P = .032) according to World Health Organization definition. Cases of uncorrected refractive error remained the major cause for presenting visual impairment. Causes of visual impairment due to presenting visual acuity were nystagmus (14%), amblyopia (24%) and uncorrected refractive error (62%). Conclusion The prevalence of visual impairment in Kenya is associated with age. Uncorrected refractive error remains the major causes of visual impairment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadrack Muma ◽  
Stephen Obonyo

Abstract BackgroundVisual impairment impacts negatively on quality of life. Kenya has a total fertility rate of 3.5 an indication of more younger generation. However, little is known on the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the children population of Kenya.MethodsThis cross-sectional population-based study included 3400 (1800, 52.9% female) randomly selected children with a mean age of 12 ± 2 years (range 5–16 years) in Kenya. Visual acuity was taken using snellens chart at 6 meters. Anterior and posterior segments were assessed using slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. The World Health Organization formed the baseline for calculating prevalence of visual impairment.ResultsVisual acuity measurements were available for 3240 (95.3%) participants. The prevalence of visual impairment, based on pin-hole value, using World Health Organization, was 1.7 ± 0.3%. The prevalence of visual impairment, based on presenting visual acuity value, was 2.4 ± 0.7%, using the World Health Organization definition. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of visual impairment on pin-hole, according to World Health Organization definition increased significantly with increasing age (odds ratio 1.230, P = .021) and increased astigmatism (odds ratio 0.834, P = .032), but not significantly associated with socioeconomic, ocular conditions after adjusting for age and astigmatism. Lack of refractive error correction was the most common reason for presenting visual impairment. Causes of visual impairment due to presenting visual acuity were amblyopia (24%), nystagmus (14%), myopia (49%) and hyperopia (13%).ConclusionThe prevalence of visual impairment in Kenya increased significantly with socio-economic activities. Uncorrected refractive error remains the major causes of visual impairment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadrack Muma ◽  
Stephen Obonyo

Abstract Background: Visual impairment is the partial or complete loss of vision in which the presenting visual acuity lie between 6/18-no perceptions of light. In Kenya, little attention has been directed towards children vision and causes of visual impairment. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the children population of Kenya.Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study included 3400 (1800, 52.9% female) randomly selected children with a mean age of 12 ± 2 years (range 5–16 years). Visual acuity was taken using Snellens chart at 6 meters. Anterior and posterior segment was assessed using slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. The World Health Organization definition formed the baseline for calculating the mean prevalence of visual impairment.Results: Visual acuity measurements were available for 3240 (95.3%) participants. The mean prevalence of visual impairment based on pin-hole value was 1.7 ± 0.3% using World Health Organization definition. The prevalence of visual impairment based on presenting visual acuity value was 2.4 ± 0.7% using the World Health Organization definition. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of visual impairment on pin-hole increased significantly with increasing age (odds ratio 1.230, P=.021) and uncorrected refractive error (odds ratio 0.834, P = .032) according to World Health Organization definition. Cases of uncorrected refractive error remained the major cause for presenting visual impairment. Causes of visual impairment due to presenting visual acuity were nystagmus (14%), amblyopia (24%) and uncorrected refractive error (62%).Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment in Kenya is associated with age. Uncorrected refractive error remains the major causes of visual impairment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Cruz-Ortiz ◽  
Rodrigo J. Gonzalez ◽  
Kim A. Lindblade ◽  
Frank O. Richards ◽  
Mauricio Sauerbrey ◽  
...  

In Latin America, onchocerciasis is targeted for elimination by 2012 through twice-yearly mass treatment of the eligible population with ivermectin. In Guatemala, two of the four historical endemic foci have demonstrated elimination of transmission, following World Health Organization guidelines. Using established guidelines ophthalmological, serological, and entomological evaluations were conducted in 2007-8 to determine the transmission status of onchocerciasis in the Huehuetenango focus. The prevalence ofOnchocerca volvulusmicrofilariae in the anterior segment of the eye in 365 residents was 0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0–0.8%), the prevalence of infection ofO. volvulusinSimulium ochraceumamong 8252 flies collected between November 2007 and April 2008 was 0% (95% CI 0–0.02%), and the prevalence of antibodies to a recombinantO. volvulusantigen in 3118 school age children was 0% (95% CI 0–0.1%). These results showed transmission interruption; thus, in 2009 mass treatment was halted and posttreatment surveillance began. To verify for potential recrudescence an entomological evaluation (from December 2010 to April 2011) was conducted during the 2nd and 3rd year of posttreatment surveillance. A total of 4587S. ochraceumwere collected, and the prevalence of infection ofO. volvuluswas 0% (95% CI 0–0.04%). Transmission of onchocerciasis in the Huehuetenango focus has been eliminated.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-36
Author(s):  
Vera L. Gritsinskaya ◽  
Valeria P. Novikova

Anthropometric evaluation is an essential feature of pediatric evaluation. Different countries use different approaches in pediatric growth assessment. The article presents a comparative analysis of the body length (BL) indicators of modern school-age children in St. Petersburg with regional standards (1991) and international standards (WHO Growth Reference 2007). Anthropometric evaluation was conducted among 6207 children aged 7 to 17 years; the median, standard deviation and centile distribution of the BL values of school-age children were determined. We found that the values of BL of modern school-age children are higher than that their peers had thirty years ago; in boys, the maximum difference is found during the pubertal growth spurt; Non-parametric and parametric indicators of BL in senior pupils of St. Petersburg are higher than in the standards of the World Health Organization; in junior schoolchildren no difference was found. The data we obtained create the prerequisites for the development of modern regional standards for growth assessment of children and school-age children in St. Petersburg and their practical use for pediatric examinations.


Author(s):  
S. A. Borzenok ◽  
B. E. Malyugin ◽  
M. Yu. Gerasimov ◽  
D. S. Ostrovsky

According to the World Health Organization, corneal blindness is the fourth most common cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide. In Russia, up to 18% of blindness is caused by corneal damage. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is one of the causes of corneal blindness and visual impairment due to anterior epithelial replacement with fibrovascular pannus. Bilateral LSCD may develop in patients with aniridia, Steven-Jones syndrome, and severe corneal burns of both eyes, leading to severe decrease in visual acuity in both eyes and, as a consequence, physical disability associated with blindness. In such cases, cell therapy, based on autologous oral epithelial culture as an alternative to allogeneic limbus transplants, is proposed for reconstruction of the anterior corneal epithelium. This new treatment method promotes corneal reepithelization, better visual acuity, reduced nonspecific ocular complaints and improved quality of life of patients. The effectiveness and significant increase in the frequency of transparent engraftment of donor corneas after cell therapy drives huge interest in this topic all over the world. This review presents literature data on the features of histotopography and methods for obtaining a cultured autologous oral mucosal epithelium, on cell markers that are used to identify epithelial cells, and on methods for creating cell grafts for subsequent transplantation to the corneal surface in LSCD patients.


Author(s):  
Jaeyoung Lee ◽  
Suyi Mao ◽  
Mohamed Abdel-Aty ◽  
Wen Fu

Traffic safety has been a serious public health issue. According to the World Health Organization, annual traffic fatalities and non-fatal injuries are 1.35 million and 20 to 50 million, respectively, worldwide. Vehicle crashes, in particular, are the leading cause of the death of children in the world. This study aims to analyze the injury severity level of drivers and school-age passengers and to identify contributing factors, focusing on the effects of driver characteristics on the severity of injuries to the driver and child passenger. A bivariate model is adopted to capture unobserved shared factors between the driver’s and child’s injury severity levels. The results indicate that the factors contributing to the injury severity level of drivers and school-age passengers are quite different, and some driver characteristics significantly affect the injury severity of the child passenger. The findings from this study can contribute to an efficient strategic plan to reduce the injury severity of vehicle occupants.


Author(s):  
Volodymyr Holub ◽  
Nadiia Holub

The state of the problem under study in the psychological and methodological literature is analyzed in the article. The content of the definitions: “communicative skills”, “communicative-speech skills” and “communicative-speech development” has been clarified. The developmental features of communication and speech skills for primary school children in inclusive educational conditions are considered. The methodological techniques for the formation and development of communicative-speech skills in inclusive classes of elementary school are determined.Effective types of corrective assistance for children with special educational needs in the lessons of the subject “I explore the world”are the actualization of the motive of communicative action, the creation of emotional play situations, the organization of attention and increased speech control, and a decrease of the volume and the rate of work. For children of primary school age with special educational needs, long-term types of assistance are advisable for the formation of arbitrary forms of communication activity.In order to develop communicative speech skills, it is recommended to use in classrooms such methodological techniques as working with a terms dictionary, explaining the meaning of concepts, introducing new terms into one’s own statements, analyzing natural objects, composing stories on a given topic using the studied concepts.Organizational forms and methodological techniques for the formation of communicative speech skills are analyzed – a system of differentiated tasks, conversations based on illustrative material, role-playing games, group work, research projects, excursions, multimedia methods etc. The pedagogical conditions for the formation of communicative speech skills for primary school age children in inclusive classes at the lessons of the subject “I explore the world” are determined and characterized.In order to develop the communicative speech skills of schoolchildren studied in an inclusive learning environment, it is necessary to provide the early inclusion of primary schoolchildren with special educational needs in the process of systematic correctional and developmental work. Keywords: communicative speech skills, speech development, communicative speech development, inclusive education, inclusive class, special educational needs, pedagogical conditions, primary school age children, educational process.


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