scholarly journals High Prevalence of Myopia and Low Hyperopia Reserve in 4411 Chinese Primary School Students and Associated Risk Factors

Author(s):  
Yu Yue ◽  
Xianmao Liu ◽  
Shu Yi ◽  
Bo Liu ◽  
Hong Yi ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of myopia in Chinese primary school students and their ocular biometrics including axial length (AL), corneal radius of curvature (CRC) and spherical equivalent refraction (SER). To analyze their association with potential myopia risk factors, such as body mass index (BMI), cram school, time of outdoor activity and electronic screen use. Methods: In this cross-sectional study of 4500 primary school students from 5 schools, participants underwent refraction using non-cycloplegic autorefractor and visual acuity testing. Myopia was defined as SER ≤ -0.50 diopter (D) and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) < 0.00 logMAR (6/6). Logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with myopia.Results: After excluding 389 participants, the overall prevalence of myopia was 33.6%. The prevalence of high myopia was 0.6%. The prevalence of myopia in girls was significantly higher than that in boys(37.6% vs. 30.0%, p<0.001). The height, weight and BMI were significantly associated with AL (r=0.471, r=0.440, r=0.276, p <0.001, respectively). AL/CRC ratio was more highly correlated with SER than AL alone. Age (p < 0.001), parental myopia (p = 0.001) and lack of outdoor activity between classes (p = 0.049) were independently associated with higher prevalence rates of myopia.Conclusion: The prevalence of myopia among Chinese schoolchildren is alarming high. Consistent with previous cross-sectional data, AL/CRC could function as myopia detection indicator. The hyperopia reserve among children aged between 6 ~7 years was low. Healthcare providers need to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of regular eye examination and proper optical correction.

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ni Made Ari Sukmandari ◽  
Ni Wayan Septarini ◽  
Gede Ngurah Indraguna Pinatih

AbstractBackground and purpose: One of the main benefits of breakfast-eating habit for schoolchildren is to maintain the attention-concentration. The current trend shows a steady decline in the breakfast-eating habit among primary school children. This present study aims to examine the association between breakfast-eating habit and attention-concentration in primary school children.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 160 primary school students year 5 and 6. Samples were selected from six public primary schools within two villages. There were a total of 16 classes of year 5 and 6 in these six schools, and five classes were selected randomly. All students from the selected classes included in the study. Attention-concentration was measured using a digit symbol test, and breakfast-eating habit and total calories intake were measured using the recall 24 hours and a standardised questionnaire. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression was employed to examine the association between breakfast-eating habit and attention-concentration.Results: The majority of students were found to have good concentration (60.63%), with breakfast-eating habit (75.00%), and consumed sufficient amount of calories (53.13%). Our multivariate analysis found a significant association between breakfast-eating habit and attention-concentration among schoolchildren (AOR=14.0; 95%CI: 4,9–67,8).Conclusions: Students with breakfast-eating habit tend to have a good attention-concentration. The total calories intake during breakfast is not associated with attention-concentration among primary school students in Badung District.  


Author(s):  
Hanmei Liu ◽  
Shiya Zhang ◽  
Hanshuang Zou ◽  
Yuanlin Pan ◽  
Qiping Yang ◽  
...  

Dietary supplement use is increasing globally, especially among children. However, few studies have been conducted to examine dietary supplement use among Chinese children. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dietary supplement use and the associated factors in primary school students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four primary schools in Hunan province, China. A total of 706 Chinese parents/caregivers of school children aged 6–12 years old were enrolled. Self-administrated questionnaires were used to collect information about the children’s dietary supplement use, and their socio-demographic characteristics. The prevalence of dietary supplement use in primary school students was 20.4%. Calcium (16.7%), vitamin C (9.2%), and vitamin D (8.5%) were the most commonly used types of dietary supplement. The main reasons for parents/caregivers to purchase dietary supplements for their children were immunity improvement (43.6%), and for growth promotion (36.5%). Some caregivers (26.4%) purchased dietary supplements online, including from dubious or unknown sellers. However, 37.5% of caregivers did not receive formal guidance on supplementation even if they purchased their supplements through formal channels. Parents/caregivers were unclear about the appropriate choices for children’s dietary supplement use. Guidelines and counseling regarding dietary supplements for children may be helpful in public health work.


Author(s):  
Yaofei XIE ◽  
Wenlong XU ◽  
Lihua YANG ◽  
Wenwen WU ◽  
Xiaodong TAN

Background: A smart vision screening instrument was applied for screening low eyesight in primary school students in Wuhan, China. We aimed to compare the differences in test results between this instrument and lamp-box visual acuity charts, assess the validity of the screening results, and perform a preliminary comparison of the cost inputs of the two approaches. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in Wuhan, China in 2017, vision tests were performed on the same day among enrolled primary school students by using the two approaches. The t-test and kappa test were performed to compare the differences, and the indicators of validity were calculated and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn. Existing cost-input data were collected and the budget was analyzed. Results: In total, 1001 schoolchildren were included, and the prevalence of low eyesight was 21.18% (95% CI: 18.71-23.87%). The test results of the two approaches were not statistically different (t=1.929, P>0.05) and showed moderate consistency (kappa=0.519, P<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of the instrument were 84.90% (95% CI: 79.21-89.30%) and 91.63% (95% CI: 89.42-91.64%), respectively; positive predictive value was 73.17% (95% CI: 67.10-78.51%); and negative predictive value was 95.76% (95% CI: 94.00-97.04%). Area under the ROC curve was 0.883 (95% CI: 0.853-0.913) and significantly differed from 0.5 (P<0.001). The budget when using the instrument decreased 48.07% compared to that when using lamp-box visual acuity charts. Conclusion: The test result of the instrument is reliable, and using it to conduct screening is cost-saving. Therefore, it might be popularized for vision monitoring in schoolchildren.


Author(s):  
Peter M Chilipweli ◽  

Background: Each year two million students die from diarrheal diseases, making it the second most serious killer of students under the age of five (WHO, 1998). The use of sanitation facilities is known to interrupt the transmission of faeco oral related disease. This study assessed proper use of latrine and handwashing facilities among primary school students as the potential behavior aspect for transmission of microbes. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted involving 307 students and 12 Teachers who are heads of health clubs, making a total of 319 participants. The study was conducted at Mbagala charambe which is found in Temeke Municipal at Mbagala ward in Dar es Salaam region which involved primary schools which were Nzasa, Chemchem, kilamba ,St Mary’s international, Rangi tatu and charambe primary. Observation method, interview and questionnaire methods of data collection were employed. All the data were analyzed by the use of STATA to obtain proportional and percentages whereby they were presented in terms of table, graph and charts. Results: Most of the participants 66% were female and 34 % were male but also almost 51.5% of the schools had soap for hand washing in their latrine. Inhibitors which makes the proper use of latrine being infringe at schools were lack effective water supply as the main inhibitor followed by lack of knowledge and broken of the facilities. No school had fixed HWF. Conclusion: The study shows the need for further improvement of the existing sanitation programs like CLTS and FOLLOW – UP MANDONA to equip with the behavior aspect which will have a potential change on the proper use of latrines and HWF hence will assist most into affecting attitudes hence attain the behavior change maturity. But to have a scaling up U plan for schools which will address various issues such as the crosscutting issue of menstrual hygiene. So it is only the proper use of the latrine which will make student abstain from diarrheagenic or ill health cycle


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-59
Author(s):  
Charles Ganaprakasam ◽  
Syeda Humayra ◽  
Kalaivani Ganasegaran ◽  
Elillarasi Kuppusamy ◽  
Barani Karikalan

Since, children are affected by the coronavirus in the same way as adults, examining the children's knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on COVID-19 would help in building a pandemic-resilient society. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 among primary school students. This online, cross-sectional study was conducted from May 18 to 20, 2021 among students aged 9 to 12 years old and having access to WhatsApp messenger on their smartphones. The study participants were selected from 17 primary schools in Kedah, Malaysia by convenience , and the Google form invitation link was shared by the schools’ guidance and counselling teachers. Analysis revealed higher females (53%) and majority aged 12 years (27.8%) out of 1207. 56% of respondents possessed good knowledge on COVID-19 (M=4.21, SD=1.16) with 73.75% overall correct responses. Children demonstrated positive attitudes (M=3.64, SD=0.67) but had a higher perceived risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 (M=3.60, SD=1.23). For practices, low scores were discovered on avoid visiting crowded places (M=2.51, SD=1.22). Knowledge has a significant effect on children’s attitudes (Beta=0.17, p<0.001) and practices (Beta=0.25, p<0.001). Comparatively, females scored lower COVID-19 knowledge than males (Beta= -0.01, p=0.65). While age was significantly associated with increased knowledge (Beta=0.13, p<0.001), whereof, year 6 students (12 years; M=4.69, SD=1.23) scored the highest. Since knowledge is a critical tool in comprehending any phenomenon, and influencing one’s attitude and practice towards it, much effort is warranted to enhance the effectiveness of government strategies and mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document