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Visual Impairment among Primary School Children in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Ayanaw Tsega Ferede1, Destaye Shiferaw Alemu1, Alemayehu Desalegn Gudeta1
1University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Optometry, Northwest Ethiopia, Amhara National Regional State, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Insights
Visual impairment affects 1.8% of primary school children in Gondar, Ethiopia, with refractive errors being the main cause. Early detection through school screening programs is crucial to address this significant educational and health issue.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Visual impairment in children significantly impacts educational outcomes.
- Limited data on visual impairment prevalence and causes hinders eye care prioritization in low-income countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment among primary school children in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive cross-sectional study involved 1289 children aged 5-15 years from 9 primary schools.
- Visual acuity was assessed using Snellen's chart; those with reduced acuity underwent detailed eye examinations and refraction.
- Data analysis utilized SPSS version 16 with 95% confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of visual impairment was 1.8%, with refractive errors accounting for nearly 70% of cases.
- Strabismus and cataracts were the next most common causes (4.3% each).
- Moderate vision impairment was prevalent (87%), and children aged 10-15 years were most affected, with a significant association for those 15 and older (p=0.005).
Conclusions:
- Visual impairment is a significant issue among primary school children in the study area.
- Implementing school screening programs is recommended to reduce the burden of visual impairment.
Background:
An impairment of the visual system at or shortly after birth adversely affects educational performance of children which typically occurs through vision. Limited evidence on the magnitude and causes of visual impairment is one of the reasons for the low priority given to eye care in low-income countries.
Objectives:
To estimate the prevalence and determine the causes of visual impairment in primary school children in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.
Materials And Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1289 children aged 5-15 years who were randomly selected in 9 primary schools (government and private) from May to June 2016. Visual acuity was measured at 6 m using Snellen's chart, and children with an acuity of less than 6/18 in the better eye underwent refraction and a detailed eye examination. A cause of their impairment was determined. Data were recorded using pretested tools. . Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 was used to enter and analyze the data using 95% confidence intervals.
Results:
The prevalence of visual impairment was 1.8%. Refractive errors (nearly 70%) followed by strabismus and cataract, each contributing 4.3%, were the most frequent causes of visual impairment in the study population. Majority (87%) of the children had moderate degree of vision impairment, and 10-15-year age groups are the more affected ones. Children of age fifteen and above showed statistically significant association with visual impairment (p=0.005).
Conclusion:
The magnitude of visual impairment in primary school children in the study area is significant. School screening programme is recommended to minimize the burden of visual impairment in the study area.
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