Childhood Blindness and Visual Impairment in a Local Government Area in North-Central Nigeria: A Key Informant Survey
James Lokoja Ajige1, Nasiru Muhammad2, Amina Hassan-Wali3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Insights
A study in Nigeria found that childhood blindness and severe visual impairment are significant issues, with cataract and corneal opacity being major causes. Most cases of childhood blindness are preventable, highlighting the need for early intervention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Childhood blindness and severe visual impairment pose a significant public health challenge in many regions.
- Estimating the prevalence and identifying causes are crucial for developing effective intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the magnitude of blindness and severe visual impairment in children in Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
- To identify the primary causes of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment in the study area.
Main Methods:
- A Key Informant survey was conducted to identify children with visual impairments.
- Data collection included biodata, medical history, and eye examinations adhering to WHO/PBL coding instructions.
- Data were analyzed using specialized software for childhood blindness.
Main Results:
- Out of 51 identified children, 50 were examined. Eight children (16%) were blind, and 8 (16%) had severe visual impairment.
- The crude prevalence of childhood blindness was 0.01%, and moderate-severe visual impairment was 0.03%.
- Cataract, corneal opacity, and refractive errors were the leading causes, with 94% of cases being avoidable.
Conclusions:
- Childhood blindness and severe visual impairment are present in Nassarawa Eggon LGA, with an estimated 0.01% crude prevalence of blindness.
- Cataract is the most common cause, and the majority of visual impairments are preventable.
- Interventions targeting preventable causes like cataract and corneal opacity are essential for reducing childhood blindness.
Background:
To use the Key Informant survey to estimate the magnitude and to identify the major causes of blindness and severe visual impairment in children of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Methodology:
Twenty-eight trained Key Informants traced and referred children believed to be blind or visually impaired. Biodata record, history and eye examination were based on the operational definitions in the WHO/PBL coding instruction manual for childhood blindness. Data were entered and analyzed in the WHO/PBL Childhood Blindness Software (CBS) V 1.2.75 by an ophthalmologist and a statistician.
Result:
The Key Informants identified 51 children of which 50 (98%) were examined. Eight (16%) of the children examined were blind, another 8 (16%) had severe visual impairment, 16 (32%) were visually impaired, 7 (14%) had monocular blindness and 11 (22%) were normal. The estimated crude prevalence of childhood blindness was 0.01% and of moderate-severe visual impairment was 0.03%. The major causes of blindness and severe visual impairment were cataract, corneal opacity, and refractive errors. Ninety-four percent of the causes of blindness and moderate-severe visual impairment in children were avoidable. It was estimated that some 415 children in Nasarawa state are blind or have moderate to severe visual impairment.
Conclusion:
The estimated magnitude of blindness and visual impairment in Nassarawa Eggon LGA is 8 and 24 children respectively with a crude blindness prevalence of 0.01% (1 per 10,000). Cataract was the commonest cause of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment in Nassarawa Eggon local government area with 93.8% of the causes of blindness and visual impairment being avoidable.
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