Screening for refractive error among primary school children in Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Abstract

IntroductionVision screening study in primary school children has not been done in Bayelsa State. This study aims to screen for refractive error among primary school children in Bayelsa State and use the data to plan for school Eye Health Program.MethodsA cross sectional study on screening for refractive error in school children was carried out in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in June 2009. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study population (pupils aged between 5-15 years). Visual acuity (VA) for each eye, was assessed outside the classroom at a distance of 6 meters. Those with VA ≤6/9 were presented with a pinhole and the test repeated. Funduscopy was done inside a poorly lit classroom. An improvement of the VA with pinhole was considered refractive error. Data was analyzed with EPI INFO version 6.ResultsA total of 1,242 school children consisting of 658 females and 584 males were examined.About 97.7% of pupils had normal VA (VA of 6/6) while 56 eyes had VAs ≤ 6/9. Of these 56 eyes, the visual acuity in 49 eyes (87.5%) improved with pinhole. Twenty seven pupils had refractive error, giving a prevalence of 2.2%. Refractive error involved both eyes in 22 pupils (81.5%) and the 8-10 years age range had the highest proportion (40.7%) of cases of refractive error followed by the 9-13 year-old age range (37%).ConclusionThe prevalence of refractive error was 2.2% and most eyes (97.7%) had normal vision.

A Study of the Morbidity Profile, Personal Hygiene and Nutritional Status of School Children in Rural Areas of District Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh

“…Similar findings were reported by M Shinde et al, (5) (2.3%) and Ibeinmo Opubiri et al, (19) (2.2%). Other studies by Harish Chandra Tiwari et al, (8) (12.4%), KV Pani Madhavi et al, (20) (11.38%) and Kaushik Talukdar et al, (6) (10%) reported higher prevalence of defective vision.…”

The Prevalence of Refractive Errors Among First Grade of Primary School in Amara, South of Iraq

“…This result was in consistence with another study conducted by EL-Bayoumy et al in Cairo, which found the prevalence of visual acuity of ( 6/12) level was high (22%) (EL-Bayoumy, 2007). However, Opubiri et al reported that prevalence was low and this disagrees with our study (Opubiri, 2013).…”

“…This result was higher than the usual value noted by WHO (20%) and more than the findings of other studies in which prevalence of refractive error was 2.2% -35%. These studies include: Opubiri et al (Opubiri, 2013) which found that refractive error prevalence was 2.2% in both eyes. In Saadoon report, (Saadoon, 2017) the refractive error prevalence was about 35% while the Pi, et al (Pi, 2012) in China found the prevalence of refractive error was about 20.69%.…”

A Study on Morbidity Pattern of School Children Aged 5-15yrs in an Urban Area of Guntur

“…Whereas it was 2.2% in a study conducted by Ibeinmo Opubiri et al 15 In our study 5.42% had scabies, whereas it was 2.9% in a study conducted by Sambo MN et al 16 In our study 28.14% had peduculosis which was more when compared to 10.2% in a study conducted by Serpil Degerli et.al. 17 In the present study the prevalence of worm infestation was 31.51% as compared to 17.6% in a study done by LK Khanal et.al.…”