Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment in Fundong District, North West Cameroon: Results of a Population-Based Survey

Oye, Joseph; Mactaggart, Islay; Polack, Sarah; Schmidt, Elena; Tamo, Violet; Okwen, Marvice; Kuper, Hannah

doi:10.1080/09286586.2017.1313992

Cited by 12 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Age ≥ 40-64 years are positively associated with VI which was supported by studies done in Singapore [29], South Africa [16], China [25], South Korea [21] Western Cameroon [30], Southern Mexico [26], and Nigeria [18] that may be related to an increased prevalence of age related eye diseases and degenerations in these age groups [31].…”

Section: Discusionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults at Debre Berhan town, North Shewa, Ethiopia

2020

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Background: Visual impairment refers to presenting distance visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the worst eye. It remains a global challenge that greatly affects the mobility, social participation and the quality of life of the people. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults aged ≥ 18 years. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Berhan town. Systematic random sampling method was employed to select the study participants from adult's aged ≥18 years. Data was collected by interview with a pre-tested semi structured questionnaire. Both anterior and posterior segment ocular examinations were done by Optometrists and Ophthalmologist. After all ocular examinations adult's aged ≥18 years with presenting Visual acuity of < 6/18 in the worst eye were considered as visually impaired. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the determinant factors and p value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 416 participants were enrolled in the study with a 98.6% response rate. The prevalence of visual impairment among adults aged ≥ 18 years was 16.8% (95% CI, 13.5-20.2%). Among the overall prevalence of visually impaired adults 27 (6.49%) had bilateral VI and 43 (10.34%) had monocular VI. Aged > 64 years (AOR = 12.18, 95%CI: 4.47-33.20), illiterates AOR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.36-6.72), previous eye trauma (AOR = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.64-12.04), family size > 5 (AOR: 4.44, 95% CI: 1.43-13.75) and family history of eye problem (AOR = 7.02, 95% CI: 1.95-25.22) had statistically significant association with visual impairment. Conclusions: Prevalence of visual impairment among adults was found to be a significant public health problem. Older age, illiterates, previous eye trauma, large family size and family history eye problem were positively associated with visual impairment.

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Section: Discusionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults at Debre Berhan town, North Shewa, Ethiopia

2020

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“…Population surveys in one district each in India and Cameroon were conducted in 2013–14 [17–25]. In India, the study was conducted in the Mahabubnagar District, Telangana State, India, where the majority (85%) of the population lives in rural areas and approximately 48% are literate [25].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating assistive product need in Cameroon and India: results of population‐based surveys and comparison of self‐report and clinical impairment assessment approaches

Boggs

Kuper

Mactaggart

et al. 2020

Tropical Med Int Health

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Objectives To estimate population need and coverage for distance glasses, hearing aids and wheelchairs in India and Cameroon, and to explore the relationship between assistive product (AP) need measured through self‐report and clinical impairment assessment. Methods Population‐based surveys of approximately 4000 people each were conducted in Mahabubnagar district, India and Fundong district, Cameroon. Participants underwent standardised vision, hearing and musculoskeletal impairment assessment to assess need for distance glasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs. Participants with moderate or worse impairment and/or self‐reported difficulties in functioning were also asked about their self‐reported AP need. Results 6.5% (95% CI 5.4–7.9) in India and 1.9% (95% CI 1.5–2.4) in Cameroon of the population needed at least one of the three APs based on moderate or worse impairments. Total need was highest for distance glasses [3.7% (95% CI 2.8–4.7) India; 0.8% (95% CI 0.5–1.1), Cameroon] and lowest for wheelchairs (0.1% both settings; 95% CI 0.03–0.3 India, 95% CI 0.04–0.3 Cameroon). Coverage for each AP was below 40%, except for distance glasses in India, where it was 87% (95% CI 77.1–93.0). The agreement between self‐report and clinical impairment assessment of AP need was poor. For instance, in India, 60% of people identified through clinical assessment as needing distance glasses did not self‐report a need. Conversely, in India, 75% of people who self‐reported needing distance glasses did not require one based on clinical impairment assessment. Conclusions There is high need and low coverage of three APs in two low‐and middle‐income settings. Methodological shortcomings highlight the need for improved survey methods compatible with the international classification of functioning, disability and health to estimate population‐level need for AP and related services to inform advocacy and planning.

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“…Most community-based studies of surgically reversible blindness in SSA have focused on establishing the prevalence of VI via direct physical examinations, but have largely overlooked perceived impairment and functional disability criteria. [15][16][17][18] Investigating these factors, however, would provide key information on barriers to care and could effectively guide policy to promote the utilisation of surgical services. To our knowledge, no surveys investigating care-seeking behaviours among persons reporting a VI had thus far been carried out in the Central African country of Cameroon.…”

Section: Open Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, care-seeking practices and impact of self-reported vision impairment in Southwest Cameroon: a community-based study

et al. 2020

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ObjectivesTo establish the prevalence of self-reported vision impairment (VI) in Southwest Cameroon and describe associated care-seeking practices, functional limitations and economic hardships.DesignA three-stage clustered sampling household community-based survey.SettingThe Southwest region of Cameroon.Participants8046 individuals of all ages residing in the Southwest region of Cameroon.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevalence of self-reported VI, onset of vision loss, care-seeking practices, diagnosis and treatment, functional limitations, economic hardships on household, beliefs about surgical treatability of blindness and barriers to surgical care.ResultsThe estimated prevalence of self-reported VI in Southwest Cameroon was 0.87% (95% CI 0.62 to 1.21). Among participants aged ≥40 years, the prevalence increased to 2.61% (95% CI 1.74 to 3.90). Less than a quarter of affected participants reported difficulty working (20.5%) or trouble going to school (12.0%) as a result of their VI. Yet, over half (52%, n=43) of affected households experienced significant economic hardships due to the VI. Residing in an urban setting (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.30) and belonging to a higher socioeconomic status (aOR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26) were factors associated with the belief that certain types of blindness were surgically reversible. Formal care was not sought by 16.3% (n=8) of affected participants. Cataracts was the leading diagnosis among participants who did seek formal care (43.2%, n=16), although 93.8% of these cases were not surgically treated, primarily due to a lack of perceived need.ConclusionThe prevalence of individuals who report vision impairment in Southwest Cameroon is considerably lower than prior published estimates based on visual physical examinations. Routine community-level screening and cost financing schemes could improve detection of pre-clinical eye disease and the utilisation of surgical care. It could also pre-empt disability and economic hardships associated with advanced VI in the region.

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Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment in Fundong District, North West Cameroon: Results of a Population-Based Survey

Abstract: Ophthalmic programmes in Cameroon need to incorporate control of posterior segment diseases while also working to improve outcomes after cataract surgery.

Cited by 12 publications

References 19 publications

Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults at Debre Berhan town, North Shewa, Ethiopia

Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults at Debre Berhan town, North Shewa, Ethiopia

Estimating assistive product need in Cameroon and India: results of population‐based surveys and comparison of self‐report and clinical impairment assessment approaches

Prevalence, care-seeking practices and impact of self-reported vision impairment in Southwest Cameroon: a community-based study

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