Study Of Some Epidemiological Determinants Of Ocular Morbid Conditions In The Rural Area Of Central India.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Ocular morbid condi t ions are responsible for part ial or total bl indness. Ocular morbidi t ies by i ts sheer magni tude form an enormous problem, not only in human suf fering, but also in terms of economical loss and social burden . OBJECTIVE: To study some epidemiological determinants of ocular morbidi t ies in rural area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Present Community Based Cross-Sectional Study Was Undertaken In Rural Area Of Hingna,Nagpur District.This Study Was Carried Out In 194 Families With 925 Study Subjects During February 2005-December 2005. Diagnosis Of Ocular Morbid Condition Was Based On Standard Clinical Definitions And International Classification Of Diseases-10 (Icd-10).Both Eyes Were Examined And All The Relevant Clinical Findings Were Recorded In Predesigned Proforma. RESULTS: The resul ts revealed , overal l prevalence of ocular morbidi ty was 32.11 %. Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption habi ts were found in statist ically signif icant (p<0.05) associat ion wi th ocular morbidi ty when compared wi th no habi t . In female 53.71 % of ocular morbid condit ions were found in those biomass as cooking fuel . CONCLUSION: High prevalence of ocular morbidities were found in rural areas of central India with greater predominance among lower socioeconomic strata and study subjects with tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption habits and in females predominantly using biomass as cooking fuel.