ABSTRACT
Background: Uncorrected refractive error is a public health concern and a major cause of visual impairment in the world. Refractive errors can easily be corrected with spectacles. Lack of knowledge, erroneous attitude and practices contribute significantly to the magnitude of uncorrected refractive error.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of refractive errors among school age children in Agbor, Delta State.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for this study among School age children in Agbor, Delta State. A multistage sampling technique was used, to select 822 school age children. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice, and ocular history. Subjective refraction followed by cycloplegic refraction using cyclopentolate hydrochloride (1.0% solution) was carried out on all children. We performed retinoscopy thirty minutes after the instillation of the cyclopentolate hydrochloride. The final prescription and the best-corrected VA were recorded. Data was analyzed using IBSM SPSS version 21 and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: A total of 822 school children participated in this study. The participants consist of 364 (44.3%) males and 458 (55.7%) females. Majority of the respondents were in the age group 9 to 12 years with a mean age (SD) of 10.05 (3.05) years. The prevalence of refractive error in this study was found to be 4.4%. The prevalence of myopia was 3.3%, astigmatism 0.7% and hyperopia 0.4%. Twenty-two (9.6%) school children had good knowledge of refractive error while 208 (90.4%) school children had poor knowledge of refractive error. Also 792 (96.4%) school children had positive attitude to spectacle use while thirty (3.6%) school children had negative attitude to spectacle use. Six (16.7%) school children have adequate practices of spectacle while thirty (83.3%) school children have inadequate practices.
Conclusion: The prevalence of refractive error in the study population was high. Myopia was higher followed by astigmatism and hyperopia was least. The prevalence of refractive error in this study was independent of the socio demographic characteristics of the school children. The overall knowledge of school children to refractive error was poor. Majority of the respondents had positive attitude to spectacle use and the practice of school children to spectacle use was inadequate.
Keywords: Prevalence, determinants, refractive error, school aged children, Agbor.
