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Spectacle utilisation rate and reasons for non-compliance with wearing of spectacles amongst primary school children in Onitsha, Anambra state, Nigeria
- Source :
- African Vision and Eye Health, Vol 79, Iss 1, Pp e1-e6 (2020)
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- AOSIS, 2020.
-
Abstract
- Background: Uncorrected refractive errors (REs) are becoming very common in children in developing countries, yet the use of spectacles and compliance to wear are not well documented in African children. Aim: To determine spectacle utilisation rate and reasons for non-compliance with spectacle wear amongst primary school children. Setting: Primary schools in Onitsha, Anambra state, Nigeria. Methods: A stratified random cluster sampling procedure was used to select children aged 5–15 years in 17 primary schools. A total of 1020 were enumerated – 998 (97.8%) were examined, and 97 (9.7%) had RE (uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in both eyes). A questionnaire interview using items derived from the revised Refractive Error Study in Children protocol was used to get information regarding reasons for spectacle wear non-compliance. Results: Of the 97 children with RE, 20 wore their spectacles during the time of study, yielding a spectacle utilisation rate of 20.6%. Eleven (55%) of those wearing spectacles were females, 13 (65%) were myopic and the highest number (50%) of spectacle wearers was in the 8–10 years age category. Age, gender and type of RE were significantly associated with spectacle wear ( p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant). The major reasons for non-compliance with spectacles wear were parental disapproval for using spectacles and misconceptions about wearing spectacles. Conclusion: Spectacle utilisation amongst primary school children in Onitsha was low. These findings suggest the need for public awareness about the importance and benefits of wearing spectacles.
- Subjects :
- non-compliance
Refractive error
Random cluster
Spectacle
school children
Developing country
Uncorrected visual acuity
030501 epidemiology
medicine.disease
spectacle utilisation rate
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
lcsh:Ophthalmology
lcsh:RE1-994
Non compliance
030221 ophthalmology & optometry
medicine
spectacle wear
refractive error
0305 other medical science
Psychology
Demography
Public awareness
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 24101516 and 24133183
- Volume :
- 79
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- African Vision and Eye Health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....3a7bac20cbb44f56fda43d0d15ca15d6