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Visual impairment among 1014-year school children in Puducherry: A cross-sectional study.

Authors :
Vishnuprasad, R.
Bazroy, Joy
Madhanraj, K.
Prashanth, Hannah Ranjee
Singh, Zile
Samuel, Abel K.
Muthukumar, T.
Source :
Journal of Family Medicine & Primary Care; Jan-Mar2017, Vol. 8 Issue 1, p58-62, 5p
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Introduction: According to the 2010 estimates by the World Health Organization, nearly 285 million (4.24% of total population) people of all ages worldwide are visually impaired. Almost 18.9 million children under 15 years of age are visually impaired globally. In developing countries, 7%-31% of childhood blindness and visual impairment is avoidable. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study among 1884 school students in Puducherry, in the age group of 10-14 years. A child with presenting maximum vision ≤6/12 Snellen equivalent in the better eye is considered visually impaired. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2013 and analyzed using the statistical software SPSS version 21.0. Chi-square test was applied for testing difference in proportion and a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of visual impairment (vision ≤6/12) among the study participants was 6.37% (95% confidence interval = 5.27-7.47). The prevalence of visual impairment increased with age and it was found to be high among male students (6.6%) when compared to female students (6%). Presenting vision of 6/6 was observed in 79.8% of the children while with pinhole correction, the proportion increased to 94.6%. Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment in our study population was found to be 6.37% and the prevalence was even higher among children who belonged to schools of urban region or private schools. Children with a positive family history of spectacle use were more likely to have visual impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22494863
Volume :
8
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Family Medicine & Primary Care
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
125275089
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4863.214983