Abstract
BackgroundVisual 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsA 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.ConclusionsPrevalence 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.
Highlights
Visual impairment refers to presenting distance visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the worst eye
Classification of severity of Visual impairment (VI) recommended by the Resolution of the International Council of Ophthalmology and World Health Organization (WHO) Consultation includes Moderate VI, Severe VI and blindness based on presenting Visual Acuity (VA) worse than 6/18, 6/60, and 3/60 respectively [1, 2]
Data collections and examination procedures The questionnaire was pre-tested for 5% of the sample at Chacha town which is 10 km away from Debre Berhan and re-adjusted
Summary
Visual impairment refers to presenting distance visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the worst eye. According to World Health Organization (WHO) revised definition, it is defined as presenting distance visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the worst eye [1]. Classification of severity of VI recommended by the Resolution of the International Council of Ophthalmology and WHO Consultation includes Moderate VI, Severe VI and blindness based on presenting VA worse than 6/18, 6/60, and 3/60 respectively [1, 2]. Based on 2006 national survey blindness and low vision were major public health problems in Ethiopia. Based on presenting vision in the better eye the national prevalence of blindness and low vision was 1.6 and 3.7% respectively. The major causes of low vision were cataract (42.3%), refractive error (33.4%), trachomatous corneal opacity (7.7%), other corneal opacity (5.9%) and macular degeneration (4.6%) [11]
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