Visual impairment and its associated factors among medical and health sciences students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults aged 40 and above in Southern Ethiopia, 2022

Visual impairment is a functional limitation of the eye caused by a disorder or disease that can reduce one's ability to perform daily activities. Many studies in Ethiopia have focused on childhood visual impairments. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with visual impairment among adults aged 40 and above. Community-based cross-sectional study was done and a systematic sampling technique was used to select 655 participants. Data were collected by interviewer administered questionnaire, E-Snell chart, pinhole, torch light, and magnifying loupe. SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with outcome variable. The overall prevalence of visual impairment was found to be 36.95% (95% CI 33.2-40.8%). Factors associated with a higher odds of visual impairment included aged 51-60 years (AOR 2.37, 95% CI 1.29-4.44), aged 61 and above (AOR 8.9, 95% CI 4.86-16.3), low wealth index (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.14-3.2), divorced and widowed (AOR 4.67, 95% CI 2.77-7.86), no formal education (AOR 14.28, 95% CI 2.82-71.46), not utilizing eyeglass (AOR 3.94, 95% CI 1.65-9.40). The prevalence of visual impairment was relatively high compared to other studies. Age, marital status, occupation, educational status, wealth index, and not using eyeglasses were significantly associated with visual impairment. Refractory error is the leading cause of visual impairment. Early eye care service interventions are needed in this area.

Prevalence of Visual Impairment and Associated Factors Among Older Adults in Southern Ethiopia, 2022

Background

Visual impairment is a functional limitation of the eye brought on by a disorder or disease that can make it more difficult to carry out daily tasks. Visual impairment causes a wide range of public health, social, and economic issues, particularly in developing nations, where more than 90% of the world's visually impaired people reside. Although many studies conducted in Ethiopia related with the topic, there were focused on childhood visual impairments.

Objectives

To assess the prevalence and factors associated with visual impairment among older adults.

Methodology

A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Arba Minch Zuria District. Systematic sampling technique was employed to select 655 adults aged 40 and above. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews and visual acuity measurements, and SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with visual impairment.

Results

The overall prevalence of visual impairment was found to be 36.95% (95% CI=33.2-40.8%). Factors associated with a higher odds of visual impairment included aged 51-60 years (AOR=2.37,95%CI=1.29-4.44), aged 61 and above (AOR=8.9, 95%CI=4.86-16.3), low wealth index ((AOR=1.81, 95%CI: 1.14-3.2), divorced and widowed (AOR=4.67, 95%CI:2.77-7.86), no formal education (AOR=14.28, 95%CI: 2.82-71.46), not utilizing eyeglass (AOR=3.94, 95%CI (1.65-9.40). The most possible causes of visual impairment were found to be refractive error and cataract.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The prevalence of visual impairment among study population was relatively high, and more than three-fifths of participants had unilateral visual impairment. Age, marital status, occupation, educational status, wealth index, and not wearing of prescribed eyeglasses were significantly associated with visual impairment. Refractive error is the leading cause of visual impairment. Awareness of spectacle use and expanding cataract surgery coverage are urgently needed in this area.

Learning features and accessibility limitations of video conferencing applications: are people with visual impairment left behind

The COVID-19 pandemic increases the reliance on video conferencing applications for learning. Accessible video conferencing applications with good learning features can help people with visual impairment when they participate in online classes. This paper investigates the accessibility limitations and the available learning features of the top two current video conferencing applications, namely Zoom and MS Teams. A task-based expert review and a blind user evaluation are conducted using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1. In addition, the study identifies the application with the better learning features based on Universal Design for Learning guidelines. A set of recommendations are outlined for developing better inclusive video conferencing applications for people with visual impairment. The presented ideas can be applied to enhance the learning experience of people with visual impairment.

Pooled prevalence of blindness in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Blindness is defined as presenting visual acuity worse than 3/60 in the better eye. Its highest proportion has been conforming to the developing countries such as Ethiopia. So, timely information is crucial to design strategies. However, the study on the magnitude of blindness in Ethiopia was outdated which means it was conducted in 2005–2006. Therefore, this study was proposed to estimate the pooled prevalence of blindness in Ethiopia.

Databases like PubMed, Cochrane library, Google Scholar and references of retrieved articles were used to search for articles. A standard data extraction approach was employed and presented using Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of studies. Analysis held using STATA V.11. The funnel plot and Egger’s regression test were applied to check for the potential sources of bias. Heterogeneity among the studies was tested using I² statistics that have been calculated and compared with the standard. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were done to identify the potential sources of heterogeneity. Estimation of blindness was carried out using Duval and Twee die’s trim and fill analysis. The pooled prevalence of blindness in Ethiopia is found to be 1.18% (95% CI 0.650% to 1.706%). Blindness is among the main public health difficulties in Ethiopia. So, it demands up-to-date strategies and its implementation, preventive and curative eye care service with affordable and accessible interventions, and evidence-based advocacy. The trial Registration Number is CRD42021268448.

Prevalence of refractive errors among school students in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:

Refractive errors are most common ocular disorders among children and adolescents. They remain as secondary causes of avoidable blindness in impoverished areas in Africa, most notably in Ethiopia. The problem worsens if it is not managed and addressed early. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of refractive errors among school students in Ethiopia.

Methods:

We searched international databases such as PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Science Direct for relevant articles. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and exported to Stata version 14.0 software for analysis. The Cochrane Q and I2 tests were used to assess heterogeneity. Funnel plot, Egger’s, and Begg’s tests were used to assess reporting bias. Random effect meta-analysis model was employed to estimate pooled prevalence of refractive errors. A regional subgroup analysis was carried out.

Results:

We reviewed 22 qualified studies with 23,355 study participants. The overall prevalence of refractive errors among school students was 7.36% (95% confidence interval = 6.05, 8.67). The prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism was 5.10% (95% confidence interval = 3.79, 6.40), 0.95% (95% confidence interval = 0.59, 1.31), and 0.01% (95% confidence interval = 0.01, 0.04), respectively. From subgroup analysis, the highest prevalence of refractive errors was reported in Amhara Region (9.18%, 95% confidence interval = 6.63, 11.74), followed by Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region (6.78%, 95% confidence interval = 4.65, 8.92) while the lowest prevalence of refractive errors was reported in Addis Ababa (3.93%, 95% confidence interval = 3.30, 4.56).

Conclusion:

In Ethiopia, the prevalence of refractive errors among school students is higher (7.36%) compared to what it was 5 years (7.05%) ago. Amhara Region has the highest prevalence of refractive errors among school students in Ethiopia with myopia being the most common type of refractive error.