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.
Highlights
Recent data suggest that many people are visually impaired because of refractive error (RE), as they are not using appropriate refractive compensation.[1]
500 million people, mostly from developing countries, have no access to eye examination and correction, which increase their risk of visual impairment (VI) and blindness.[7]
Visual acuity in 84 (86.6%) children improved to ≥ 20/32 in the better eye after refraction, and 13 (13.4%) had the best corrected VA of 20/40 or worse in the better eye, including in one child (1%) with no light perception in one eye
Summary
Recent data suggest that many people are visually impaired because of refractive error (RE), as they are not using appropriate refractive compensation.[1]. Spectacles are the most cost-effective method for correcting RE globally.[5] In spite of RE being correctable with spectacles, only 1.8 billion people globally have access to eye examination and affordable correction.[6] Approximately 500 million people, mostly from developing countries (close to one-third are in Africa), have no access to eye examination and correction, which increase their risk of VI and blindness.[7] The proportion of children who could benefit from spectacle correction, but do not yet own or wear spectacles, has been found to be high in many http://www.avehjournal.org. 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
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