Visual impairment and refractive error amongst school-going children aged 6–18 years in Sekhukhune District (Limpopo, South Africa)
African Vision and Eye Health
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Visual impairment and refractive error amongst school-going children aged 6–18 years in Sekhukhune District (Limpopo, South Africa) | |
| Creator | Magakwe, Tshubelela S.S. Xulu-Kasaba, Zamadonda N.Q. Hansraj, Rekha | |
| Description | Background: Refractive error (RE) and visual impairment (VI) remain major problems affecting school-going children worldwide.Aim: To determine the prevalence and distribution of VI and RE in school-going children aged 6–18 years.Setting: The study was conducted in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo, South Africa.Methods: A multistage random sampling method was used to select school-going children aged 6–18 years from Grades 1 to 12. A total of 326 learners went through eye examinations, which included visual acuity (VA) measurement using a logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution chart, autorefraction under cycloplegia and ocular health assessment.Results: The prevalence of uncorrected, presenting and best-corrected VA of 0.30 M or worse in the better eye was 12.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.70–15.80), 12.3% (95% CI, 8.70–15.80) and 2.1% (95% CI, 0.60–3.70), respectively. Refractive error accounted for 80% (95% CI, 67.6–92.4) of all causes of VI. Myopia was the most prevalent RE (50.7%; 95% CI, 38.8–62.7), followed by astigmatism (36%; 95% CI, 24.3–47.3) and hypermetropia (13.6%; 95% CI, 5.30–21.6). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of RE and VI between males (50.7%; 95% CI, 38.8–62.7) and females (49.3%; 95% CI, 37.3–61.2). Refractive error and VI were higher amongst children aged 14–18 years: 56.7% (95% CI, 44.9–68.6) and 60% (95% CI, 44.8–75.20), respectively.Conclusion: The prevalence of RE and VI amongst school-going children in Sekhukhune District was high, highlighting the need for school visual screening and strategies to address these conditions in that area. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2020-10-05 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/aveh.v79i1.551 | |
| Source | African Vision and Eye Health; Vol 79, No 1 (2020); 8 pages 2410-1516 2413-3183 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
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https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/551/1322
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/551/1320
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/551/1323
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/551/1319
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