Visual impairment and associated factors among primary school children in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Afr Health Sci. 2020 Mar;20(1):533-542. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v20i1.60.

Abstract

Background: Visual impairment is one of the major public health problems worldwide, especially in developing countries.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated factors among school children in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in eight primary schools of Gurage Zone. A total of 1064 pupils, of whom589 boys and 475 girls were selected using multistage sampling technique. Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were collected using structured questionnaires and visual acuity was measured using Snellen's chart. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of visual impairment.

Results: The prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%. Factors significantly associated with visual impairment were age group of 13-18 years (AOR = 9.44, 95% CI = 3.83 - 23.25), school grade level of 5- 8 (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.23 - 7.17), rural residents (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.22 - 5.54), family's monthly income of less than 2000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.08 - 7.61) and visually impaired parents (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.06 - 4.39).

Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%.

Keywords: Gurage Zone; Southern Ethiopia; Visual impairment; primary school children.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Schools
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Vision Disorders / diagnosis
  • Vision Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Vision, Low / etiology*