FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS PERCEPTION OF MYOPIA AND IT’S CORRECTION IN SOME SELECTED INSTITUTIONS IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

Myopia also termed short-sightedness is a common vision condition in which an individual can see objects that are near clearly but objects that are far away appear blurry. It occurs when the shape of the eyes causes light rays to refract incorrectly, focusing images in front of the retina. With the increasing dependence on smart phones, computers and other electronic products as well as the long hours of time spent in near work activities such as reading and writing, myopia has become the most common vision problem among students. The objective of this study was to elicit female undergraduate students perception of myopia and its corrections in some selected institutions in Benin City, Edo-State. The sample size for the study was 245 students who completed the questionnaire designed for the study. Out of the 245, 242 representing 98.8% return rate, correctly completed and returned their copies of the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data, results were presented in pie chart and tables. Hypotheses were tested using ANOVA, t test, pearson correlation to determine whether significant differences(p<0.05) existed between the knowledge and their age and also between the institution and their perception as well as knowledge and perception. Hypotheses tested that there is no significant relationship between the knowledge and age of female undergraduate students and that there is a significant relationship between the institution and perception and also between their knowledge and perception. I recommend that Nursing students should be educated more about their health especially their eyes and conditions especially myopia and various methods of corrections and students who are at high risk (e.g. family history, exposed to near work) should be aware more about the problem and start preventive measures even before developing myopia, and the various options for corrections should be made known to them.

Keywords : Myopia, Students, Female, Undergraduate.