Impairment In School Children Research Articles

Population Based Study and Global Estimates of Hearing Impairment in Schoolchildren

Hearing impairments in schoolchildren affects learning and communication. Reliable data on hearing loss prevalence in this group are necessary for planning the audiological care. Aim. To compare data from a population based study of the hearing loss prevalence in schoolchildren and estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study in the Republic of Yemen. Materials and methods. Data extraction was performed from the GBD database on the prevalence of bilateral hearing loss >20 dB among children aged 5–9 years in the Republic of Yemen. A two stage study of hearing loss prevalence among primary school students aged 6–9 years in Sana’a, Republic of Yemen, in a sample of 2200 children using screening audiometry at 20 dB at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz is school settings, followed by tonal threshold audiometry and tympanometry in a specialized clinic. Hearing loss was assessed as unilateral or bilateral when hearing thresholds were higher than 25 dB. Results. According to GBD estimates, bilateral hearing impairment in this population is 2.2%, including 1.4% of mild degree. According to the results of a Yemenian population study, mild and moderate hearing impairment was detected in 10.6%, of which 6.8% – unilateral, 3.8% – bilateral hearing loss. There were no cases of severe or profound hearing loss. The prevalence of otitis media with effusion was 6%, chronic suppurative otitis media – 1.8%, sensorineural hearing loss – 1.6%. Conclusion. Bilateral hearing impairments occur in 2.2–3.8% of primary school students, with unilateral impairments the prevalence is up to 10.6%. Of these, at least 65% have conductive hearing loss due to pathology of the middle ear. The data obtained will improve the efficiency of ear and hearing care for schoolchildren.

Screening of Hearing and Vision Impairment in Primary School Children in Relation to Grade and Sex

Objective – The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of hearing and sight impairment, and the differences in relation to school grade and sex in school children in the area of the Jajce municipality.Materials and Methods – Screening of sight and hearing impairment in school children took place in 2018 and 2019. Vision screening covered a total of 1002 students from 1st to 5th grades, and hearing screening 768 students from 2nd to 5th grades in all central and district (rural) schools in the area of the municipality of Jajce.Results – Of the total number of students covered by the vision screening, in 163 (16%) some impairment was noticed, and they were sent for further diagnostic testing by a specialist. In relation to sex, there was a higher percentage of girls, 60%, than boys, 40%. In relation to screening of hearing, 44 (6%) of the students were sent for further diagnostics, of which 57% were boys and 43% girls. During the vision screening, 5% of the students were wearing dioptric glasses. In relation to age, the largest number of students were in first grade, 14 (27%), then in second grade, 10 students (19%). Conclusion – In this study, the results showed that a large percentage of school children were found with hearing and vision impairment, which indicates the pressing need to continue running these preventive programmes.

Habitual visual acuity and visual acuity threshold demands in Nigerian school classrooms

This study was designed to estimate the burden of blindness and vision impairment in school children, and to determine the proportion of students meeting the visual acuity (VA) demand for their classrooms. From 148 primary and secondary school classrooms in Edo State, Nigeria, the habitual distance and near VA of over 2000 students were measured. Values obtained were compared with the calculated distance VA demand and actual near VA demand for their classrooms. Measures used to calculate the VA demand were working distance and smallest text size on learning materials, at both distance and near. We also determined the relationship between age and calculated VA demand and the effect of factors such as school ownership and school type on the VA demand. Habitual distance vision impairment was found in 0.8% of pupils, including 2 (0.10%) who met the WHO criteria for blindness. The average VA demand at the furthest and nearest sitting position to the board was 0.21 ± 0.23 and 0.65 ± 0.33LogMAR, respectively. Near working distance of students ranged from 15.00 to 37.20 cm, and the near VA demand as well as actual near VA demand (using a 2.5 times acuity reserve) was 0.60 ± 0.17 and 0.20 ± 1.7LogMAR, respectively. LogMAR VA demand increased (size of print decreases) with increasing age, at both distance (r = − 0.549, p = 0.070) and near (r = − 0.921, p < 0.0001). The VA demand at maximum distance and the actual near VA demand differed significantly by school ownership and between primary and secondary schools. Most students had VA better, but up to 11% of students per class had VA poorer than their classroom demands. Although the majority of students had better VA than their classroom demands, for students with reduced vision, learning could be negatively impacted. It is important to continually screen students for vision impairment and ensure prompt referral and treatment. These findings have implications for managing vision problems in children, as well as enabling appropriate classroom arrangements for those with vision impairment.

Prevention of visual impairment in schoolchildren with excessive computer fascination

Prevention of visual impairment in schoolchildren with excessive computer fascination

Refractive Error and Visual Impairment Among School Children: Result of a South-Eastern Nigerian Regional Survey.

PurposeTo determine the prevalence refractive errors and causes of visual impairment in school children in the south-eastern region of Nigeria.MethodsSchool-based cross-sectional samples of children 5 to 15 of age in both urban and rural areas were profiled through cluster sampling. The main outcome measures were presenting, uncorrected, and best-corrected visual acuity using the Refractive Error in School-age Children (RESC) protocol.ResultsA total of 5723 children were examined during the study period comprising 2686 (46.9%) males and 3037 (53.1%) females; (M:F ratio 0.9:1) and aged 10.49±2.74SD of mean (range, 5 to 15 years). The age group 12 to <13 accounted for the highest 776 (13.6%) number of the study participants. The uncorrected visual acuity (VA) of <20/40 (6/12) was seen in 188 (3.4%) of the study participants while the presenting and best-corrected visual acuity of <20/40 (6/12) were noted in 182 (3.4%) children and 14 (0.2%) children, respectively. Refractive error was the principal cause of visual impairment.ConclusionPrevalence of refractive error is low. Myopia is the principal cause of refractive error occurring more in females and in urban schools. The main cause of visual impairment is refractive error, and most children that need spectacle correction did not have them. Program to identify children with refractive error in addition to providing free or affordable optical services remains the key to preventing visual impairment from refractive error particularly in resource-poor settings.

Prevalence of refractive errors and visual impairment in school children in Enugu South-East Nigeria.

To determine the prevalence of refractive errors and causes of visual impairment in school children in Enugu State, South-eastern Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional, school-based survey in children aged 5-15 years from selected primary and junior secondary schools (public and private) in both urban and rural communities of Enugu State was carried out. Ocular examinations were performed on them according to the Refractive Error in School-age Children (RESC) protocol. A total of 1167 children were examined. The mean age (standard deviation) was 10.58 ± 3.0 years. Females were 653 (54.4%) of the study population. The uncorrected, presenting and best-corrected visual acuity of ≤20/40 (6/12) in the better eye of the children in this study were 3.6%. 3.5% and 0.4%. Among the children that had visual impairment, refractive error accounted for 33.3% of reduced vision while the overall prevalence of refractive error was 2.1%. Prevalence of myopia was 1.9% and hyperopia, 0.1%. The most prevalent astigmatism was ≤0.75 dioptre cylinder. The prevalence of refractive error in this study is low, with myopia being more common. Despite the low prevalence of refractive error, school vision screening is still important for African children as it serves as an opportunity to identify other ocular morbidities among the children.

Prevalence of Refractive Error and Strabismus in Primary School Children of Tehsil Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

OBJECTIVES: Refractive errors and strabismus continue to remain a significant public health problem. Among school children it has an impact on child development. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of refractive error and strabismus among primary school children. METHODOLOGY: It was a cross-sectional study. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the school children. Data was collected in November-December 2013. Visual impairment was defined as, presenting VA of &lt; 6/12. A total of 2288 children (1746 boys and 542 girls) were screened from 26 randomly selected schools. Stratified sampling technique was used. Data were collected on pre-designed questionnaires and entered and analyzed by SPSS software version 16. RESULTS: The mean age of children was 8.10 + 2.3 years. About 4% children were found visually impaired. The prevalence of refractive error was found to be 5.4%, of which 88.6% was uncorrected refractive error. The prevalence of refractive error was found higher in girls than boys, 6.8% and 5.0% respectively. Among types of refractive error, myopia prevalence was 2.3%, hypermetropia prevalence was 2.0% and astigmatism prevalence was 1.1%. The prevalence of strabismus was 1.3%. Refractive error was found as a main cause of visual impairment in school children. Prevalence of strabismus among this study population is relatively low as compared to the global prevalence of 2% to 5%. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that more study to determine the extent of the problem and possible factors for development of refractive error and strabismus types are needed to mitigate these conditions.

Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Primary School Children in Lusaka, Zambia

Background: Disabling hearing loss has serious implications in a child's development as it reduces the intelligibility of speech thereby interfering with the learning process. This will negatively impact on their vocational choices.&#x0D; Study objective: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss in primary school children in the central zone of Lusaka district, Zambia.&#x0D; Methodology: 1277 children, aged 6 to 13 years, from public primary schools in the central zone of Lusaka district were randomly selected and examined. Clinical otologic assessment, tympanometry and audiometry screening were conducted on all participants. Children who failed the audiometry-screening test underwent a pure tone audiometry to determine the extent and nature of their hearing impairment.&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of hearing impairment was 11.5% consisting of conductive hearing loss (87.8%), sensorineural hearing loss (6.8%) and mixed hearing loss (5.4%). Hearing impairment was more common in male children (13.8%) compared to female children (9.3%) (P value= &lt; 0.05). Thirty six point eight percent children had ear disease. The commonest ear disease was wax impaction (66%)found in children followed by otitis media with effusion (20%), foreign body ear (4%) and chronic suppurative otitis media (2%). The odds of developing hearing impairment in children with chronic suppurative otitis media was nine times greater than that of children without chronic suppurative otitis media OR = 9.9(95% CI, 2.33- 47.43).&#x0D; Conclusions: The prevalence of hearing impairment in school children in central zone of Lusaka district is high. This study shows that chronic suppurative otitis media has a statistical significant association with hearing loss and that the male children are at a higher risk of developing hearing impairment. There is urgent need for ear and hearing care awareness, and screening programs at the community level in the central zone of Lusaka district.

Сomparative analysis of the font design effect of electronic texts, presented on a laptop and tablet, on the visual analyzer of schoolchildren of basic General education

The problem of increasing the prevalence of visual impairment in schoolchildren is becoming especially urgent at the present time, when e-learning programs and new e-learning contents are being implemented in schools. It seems relevant to search for optimal characteristics of presenting information on screens, taking into account the specifics of the electronic devices and age-related physiological features of the users’ visual system. It was shown that the initial indicators of the visual analyzer in schoolchildren of basic general education are near the lower limit of the norm. Pupilsof this age are highly sensitive to visual load. Reading texts in 16- and 14-point font of 200 and 400 signs was carried out at the stable functioning of the visual system and the improvement of the critical flicker fusion frequency indicators of schoolchildren regardless of the used electronic device.Reading texts in 16- and 14-point font of 600 signs and in 12-point font of 400 signs led to a decrease in the lability of the visual analyzer, which became significant only using a laptop. The screens of tablets provides create more favorable visual working conditions than laptops and can increase the resistance to visual and general fatigue among schoolchildren. The development of visual fatigue was observed after reading texts typed in 12-point font of 600 signs and in 10-point font of 200 signs, both from a laptop and tablet. The obtained results provide justification for creating hygienic requirements for the font design of electronic educational publications for schoolchildren of this age category.

Effective Training of School Teacher for Vision Screening: Strategic Control of Visual Impairment in Schoolchildren

Effective Training of School Teacher for Vision Screening: Strategic Control of Visual Impairment in Schoolchildren

Association of Visual Impairment With Economic Development Among Chinese Schoolchildren

Few studies have reported the association of economic growth with trends of visual impairment in schoolchildren in China or elsewhere. To describe 30-year trends and patterns in visual impairment in China and to explore the association between visual impairment and economic development. In this time series analysis of 7 successive cross-sectional surveys from 1985 to 2014, a total of 1 951 084 schoolchildren aged 7 to 18 years from all provinces and autonomous regions of mainland China, excluding Tibet, were studied. In 1985, the survey was conducted between March to June; In 1991-2014, the surveys were conducted between September and November. Data analysis was performed from April 1, 2018, to January 31, 2019. The province-level gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was extracted from the China Statistical Yearbook. Visual impairment, defined as unaided distance visual acuity of worse than 6/7.5 (20/25 Snellen equivalent), and moderate to severe visual impairment, defined as unaided distance visual acuity of worse than 6/18 (20/63 Snellen equivalent), in the worse eye. A total of 1 951 084 participants (mean [SD] age, 12.6 [3.4] years; 50.5% male) were included in the analysis. Among students aged 7 to 18 years, the prevalence of visual impairment increased from 23.7% (95% CI, 23.6%-23.8%) in 1985 to 35.1% (95% CI, 34.9%-35.3%) in 1995 to 55.0% (95% CI, 54.8%-55.3%) in 2014. In 2014, the prevalence was higher among girls (58.3%; 95% CI, 54.8%-55.3%) vs boys (51.8%; 95% CI, 51.5%-52.1%) (prevalence ratio [PR] girls vs boys, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.11-1.13) and among students living in urban (59.9%; 95% CI, 59.6%-60.2%) vs rural (50.2%; 95% CI, 49.9%-50.5%) areas (PR urban vs rural, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.16-1.18), although a more rapid relative increase in prevalence occurred in rural areas (15.3% in 1985 to 50.2% in 2014) than in urban areas (31.5% in 1985 to 59.9% in 2014). From 1995 to 2014, the GDP in China increased from $1263 to $7594 (in 2014 US$ constant price). After demographic characteristics (cluster effect of school, age, sex, urban vs rural location, and relative socioeconomic status within province) were adjusted for, the regression model revealed that every 100% increase in GDP was associated with a 20% (PR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.20-1.21) increase in the relative risk of visual impairment and a 27% (PR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.26-1.27) increase in the relative risk of moderate to severe visual impairment. The association was stronger in male (PR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.21-1.23 for male [as reference] vs 1.19; 95% CI, 1.18-1.19 for female; P < .001), rural (PR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.31-1.33 for rural [as reference] vs 1.12; 95% CI, 1.12,-1.33 for urban; P < .001), and younger age groups (PR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.24-1.29 for 7-9 years of age [as reference] vs 1.34; 95% CI, 1.32-1.36 for 10-12 years of age; P < .001; 1.21; 95% CI, 1.20-1.22 for 13-15 years of age; P < .001; and 1.12; 95% CI, 1.11,-1.13 for 16-18 years of age; P < .001). The rapid increase of visual impairment prevalence and the association between GDP and visual impairment over time suggest that further exacerbation of childhood visual impairment may occur as economic development continues in China.

Influence of severity and types of astigmatism on visual acuity in school-aged children in southern China.

To investigate the influence of astigmatism on visual acuity in school-aged children, and to define a cutoff for clinically significant astigmatism. This is a population-based, cross-sectional study. Among 5053 enumerated children aged 5-15y in Guangzhou, 3729 (73.8%) children aged 7-15 with successful cycloplegic auto-refraction (1% cyclopentolate) and a reliable visual acuity measurement were included. Ocular measurement included external eye, anterior segment, media and fundus and cycloplegic auto-refraction. Primary outcome measures included the relationship between severity and subtypes of astigmatism and the prevalence of visual impairment. Three criteria for visual impairment were adopted: best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤0.7, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) ≤0.5 or <0.7 in the right eye. Increases of cylinder power was significantly associated with worse visual acuity (UCVA: β=0.051, P<0.01; BCVA: β=0.025, P<0.001). A substantial increase in UCVI and BCVI was seen with astigmatism of 1.00 diopter (D) or more. Astigmatism ≥1.00 D had a greater BCVI prevalence than cylinder power less than 1.00 D (OR=4.20, 95%CI: 3.08-5.74), and this was also true for hyperopic, emmetropic and myopic refraction categories. Oblique astigmatism was associated with a higher risk of BCVI relative to with the rule astigmatism in myopic refractive category (OR=12.87, 95%CI: 2.20-75.38). Both magnitude and subtypes of astigmatism influence the prevalence of visual impairment in school children. Cylinder ≥1.00 D may be useful as a cutoff for clinically significant astigmatism.

A study of hearing impairment in school children

A study of hearing impairment in school children

Neurodevelopmental assessment of patients with congenital hypothyroidism

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common cause of preventable cognitive disability worldwide. Generally, it is produced by an alteration in the embryogenesis of the thyroid gland or by an alteration in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which determine that affected patients have low or absent thyroid hormone concentrations. The importance of this fact is that brain development during the first three years of life is highly dependent on thyroid hormones. Prior to the implementation of national neonatal screening programs around the world, 8 to 27% of children with CH had an IQ lower than 70. Nowadays, this percentage is close to 0 in countries that have implemented the program. In Chile, CH neonatal screening program achieved national coverage in 1996. Currently, the incidence of the disease in our country is 1: 3163. The degree of disability produced by CH not only depends on the time of detection of the disease and the prompt start of therapy, but also on an adequate monitoring. Despite screening programs, neurocognitive impairment in schoolchildren and teenagers with CH is still observed, reflected in lower scores in cognitive, language and gross motor assessments, receptive communication, expressive communication, fine motor and gross motor skills compared to healthy children. Also, lesser achievements in learning and language disorders are observed. The objective of this review is to update the information available on neurodevelopment of patients with CH.

A directly comparative two-gate case–control diagnostic accuracy study of the pure tone screen and HearCheck screener tests for identifying hearing impairment in school children

ObjectivesThis study directly compared the accuracy of two audiometry-based tests for screening school children for hearing impairment: the currently used test, pure tone screen and a device newly applied to...

The factors associated with hearing impairment in school children

Background: The morbidity of ENT infections have increased considerably in recent decades, so that they are now amongst the most common chronic disorders of childhood. Awareness of hearing deficit is poor in India. The major proportion of childhood hearing impairment in developing countries is secondary to preventable causes. At the same time, even mild degrees of hearing impairment can affect proper learning in noisy class rooms where speech is produced at a distance. This in turn can have significant impact on the scholastic performance and overall development.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to identify the factors leading to hearing impairment in school children aged 8years to 14 years in the schools in Vadamavanthal area during the months of January 2013 to July 2013. The students were interviewed through pre - tested questionnaire and aural examination was done by a qualified otolaryngologist.Results: Out of 700 school, 216(30.9%) school children were suffering from hearing impairment. 139 (19.9%) students were found to be suffering from impacted wax, 67 (9.6%) were suffering from otitis media with effusion, 17 (2.4%) students were suffering from chronic suppurative otitis media and 5 (0.7%) students were suffering from foreign body impaction in ear.Conclusions: Simple measures like regular screening for ear diseases and hearing assessment done at the school level can help identify hearing impairment which can be modified with early health education for students and teachers.

Prevalence of Vision Impairment in School Children of Puente Piedra, Peru

Purpose : To document the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with vision impairment in Peruvian children living in Puente Piedra, a resource-poor community in Peru. Methods : Cross-sectional study of children ages 5-19 in Puente Piedra, Peru from March to April, 2011. Participants underwent a standard vision screening exam consisting of distance visual acuity (VA), stereopsis, external eye exam, and color vision testing and completed a sociodemographic and health risk factor questionnaire. Results : 387 children were examined; the mean uncorrected visual acuity of 20/25 ± 1 line. Eyeglasses were used by 3.7%. VA less than 20/30 was present in both eyes of 8.9% of children and in the worse eye of 26.3% of children. Severe visual impairment (<20/200) was found in both eyes of one child (0.3%) and in the worse eye of 3 (0.7%) children. Thirteen (3.5%) children failed the stereopsis exam and 20 (5.5%) boys and 7 (1.9%) girls failed the color vision exam. Overall, 37.3% of children met criteria for referral to an ophthalmologist. Risk factors for referral included: history of eyeglasses use, previous eye exam, or parental concern about the child’s vision. Risk factors for untreated vision impairment included: not having seen a physician regularly, no previous eye exam, and having a blind family member. Conclusion : There was a high prevalence of untreated vision impairment in Peruvian children living in Puente Piedra. Increased screening and eye care is needed for this impoverished population.

Prevalence of hearing impairment in school children (aged 8-14 years) in the villages of Vadamavanthal, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Children with hearing loss, congenital or acquired, have minimum or no schooling. There are lots of school dropouts in children who have hearing impairment due to trouble keeping up with their peers. This not only affects the economic development but also the social development in communities and countries. The importance of hard of hearing is often largely underestimated since it is an invisible disability. It is mostly asymptomatic, and thus easily overlooked .Not many parents understand about it, till the child’s teacher mentions it to them. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hearing impairment in school children aged 8years to 14 years in the schools in Vadamavanthal area during the months of January 2013 to July 2013. The students were interviewed through pre-tested questionnaire and aural examination was done by a qualified otolaryngologist. Results: This study was conducted among 700 school children of age 8 to 14 years. 216 (30.9%) school children were suffering from hearing impairment. It was more prevalent in the age group of 8 years followed by the age group of 14 years. Conclusions: Simple measures like regular screening for ear diseases and hearing assessment done at the school level can help identify hearing impairment. Hearing impairment leads to poor academic achievement and affect the child’s vocational choices in future.

Prevalence of hearing impairment among primary school children in rural and urban areas of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Hearing impairment in school children is particularly important because it is the earliest time when the foundation for education and mental and linguistic development is laid down. Present study aims at estimate the burden of hearing impairment among school children in rural and urban field practice areas of Urban and Rural Health Training Centers, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India . Methods: Estimated sample of 630 was taken. Sampling method: probability proportionate to size (PPS) and stratified random sampling. The children were interviewed using semi structured format followed by general examination and assessment of hearing function. The diagnosis of hearing impairment was done on the basis of history, voice test and abnormal tuning fork tests. It was considered to be present when at least either of the voice test and tuning fork tests was found to be abnormal. Results: The prevalence of Hearing Impairment among the study population was found to be 17.9% (109/610), observed to be higher among rural (18.8%) as compared to urban (13.5%) school children. It was found to be significantly associated with Standard of living Index (SLI) and nutritional status of the children . Conclusions: The study highlights the high burden of hearing impairment in study population and the need for strengthening the school health activities focused on hearing impairment.

Postnatal arsenic exposure and attention impairment in school children

Over the last few decades there has been an increased concern about the health risks from exposure to metallic trace elements, including arsenic, because of their potential neurotoxic effects on the developing brain. This study assessed whether urinary arsenic (UA) levels are associated with attention performance and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children living in an area with high industrial and mining activities in Southwestern Spain. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 261 children aged 6–9 years. Arsenic levels were determined in urine samples. Attention was measured by using 4 independent tools: a) tests from the Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS) designed to measure attention function: Simple Reaction Time Test (RTT), Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Selective Attention Test (SAT); b) AULA Test, a virtual reality (VR)-based test that evaluates children's response to several stimuli in an environment simulating a classroom; c) Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), administered to parents; and d) Teacher's Report Form (TRF), administered to teachers. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to estimate the magnitude of the association between UA levels and attention performance scores. Higher UA levels were associated with an increased latency of response in RTT (β = 12.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.5–21.1) and SAT (β = 3.6; 95% CI: .4–6.8) as well as with worse performance on selective and focalized attention in the AULA test (β for impulsivity = .6; 95% CI: .1–1.1; β for inattention = .5; 95% CI: .03–1.0). A dose–response relationship was observed between UA levels and inattention and impulsivity scores. In contrast, results from the CBCL and TRF tests failed to show a significant association with UA levels. In conclusion, UA levels were associated with impaired attention/cognitive function, even at levels considered safe. These results provide additional evidence that postnatal arsenic exposure impairs neurological function in children.