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Ocular Health Assessment of Basic School Children in the Oforikrom Sub- Metropolis, Kumasi-Ghana
Authored by Kumah DB
Background: Vision is critical for
daily activities and sight is treasured by all. Eye diseases and
disorders such as uncorrected refractive errors, cataract, glaucoma and
retinopathies, tend tomar normal vision.
Purpose: To determine the prevalence of ocular conditions, their association with age and gender and the commonest associated
symptoms experienced by the basic school children in the Oforikrom sub-metropolis of the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana.
Design: A descriptive, cross sectional survey was used.
Methods: Out of the ten sub-metros in Kumasi, simple rando
m technique was used to select a sub-metropolis. The multistage sampling technique was then used to select two public primary schools in the selected sub-metropolis as well as to identify a sample of school children aged 5-16 years. The examination procedures adopted included history-taking, visual acuity testing, plus-one blur test, static retinoscopy, subjective refraction and ophthalmoscopy.
m technique was used to select a sub-metropolis. The multistage sampling technique was then used to select two public primary schools in the selected sub-metropolis as well as to identify a sample of school children aged 5-16 years. The examination procedures adopted included history-taking, visual acuity testing, plus-one blur test, static retinoscopy, subjective refraction and ophthalmoscopy.
Results: A total of 500 children
were examined and refractive error was found to be the most prevalent
ocular condition occurring among
200 (40.0%) of the school children, followed by allergic conjunctivitis
111 (22.2%) and dry eyes 51(10.2%). The commonest symptoms
recorded include itchiness (38.40%), tearing (32.4%), red eyes (30.20%)
and headache (26%).
Conclusion: Uncorrected refractive
error was the most prevalent ocular condition and this study indicates
that the school age is a high
risk group for developing refractive errors. Eye screening of school
children is recommended and eye care services, especially, refractive
error
services should be enforced.
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