Traditional eye pencil: A rural-urban comparison of pattern of uptake and association with glaucoma among adults in selected communities of North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Ocular diseases of varying.etiologies do occur frequently and the use of harmful traditional eye substances worsens the prognosis in terms of visual outcome. Aim: To assess the uptake of traditional eye pencil and its association with glaucoma. Settings and Design: The study was conducted among adults in rural and urban communities of Ilorin West Local Government Area, North-Central Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study. Respondents were selected through Multi-stage sampling technique. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire, clinical report form were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. version 15. Level of statistical significance was set at P value less than 0.05. Results: More of the rural than urban respondents had ever used traditional eye pencil and this was found to be associated with glaucoma within rural (P=0.029) and urban areas (P=0.009).The prevalence of glaucoma was higher in the rural, 56 (12.4%), compared with the urban area, 37 (8.2%) with a P value of 0.037. Age, educational status.and religions were the significant predictors of uptake of traditional eye pencil common in both rural and urban areas. Conclusion: The high uptake of traditional eye pencil obtained from this study and association with glaucoma calls for urgent awareness/sensitization campaign in the communities.Regular community-based eye screening will be useful in early detection of glaucoma. In addition, government should make eye care services available at the primary health care centers at reduced cost to enhance geographical and financial access.