School Visual Impairment Survey in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Good eye health is needed among school children for optimal learning, social participation, future economic productivity, and for maximizing their ability to attain the fundamental children’s rights. Cumulatively, primary and post-primary schools have direct contact with children for 6 or more hours a day, for up to 13 critical years of development. The study was aimed at determining the visual status of school children in Njikoka local government area (LGA), Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria with a view to providing evidence-based support for structured school eye health interventions. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study in selected schools using a multi-staged random sampling technique. Ocular examination was performed on 1182 selected school children aged 5–16 years. Data on visual acuity and ocular abnormalities were recorded. Data were subjected to descriptive and comparative statistical analyses. In all comparisons, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Fifty-four pupils (6.3%) in primary and 91 (27.9%) students in post-primary school were visually impaired. The proportion of visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive errors was 51.8% and 58.2% in primary and post-primary schools, respectively. Other ocular conditions identified included allergic conjunctivitis, glaucoma suspect, red eye, and amblyopia. Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment among school children in the study area is significant. Uncorrected refractive errors were the most common cause of visual impairment. Creating a sustainable school-based eye health program through stakeholder awareness advocacy, training of teachers and nurses on visual acuity assessment is recommended for early detection and referral of children with poor vision.