Prevalence of Visual Impairment and Blindness in Butajira Town, Central Ethiopia
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Date
2024-01-23
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background – WHO defines visual impairment as visual acuity of less than 6/18 and blindness when visual acuity is less than 3/60. In 2020 it was estimated that there are 43.3 million people blind and 553 million had some degree of visual impairment. The number of people affected by blindness is estimated to rise to 61.0 million by the year 2050. From the causes of VI and blindness, an estimated 50% are either preventable or treatable. In Ethiopia the pooled prevalence of blindness was found to be 1.18% with regional variations and the highest rate reported in SNNPR with a prevalence of 1.9%.
Objective – The main objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness in those who are aged 40 and above in Butajira town, Central Ethiopia
Methodology - Community based cross-sectional study on the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness in Butajira town. Any individual aged 40 and above available within the selected household was included in the study. Systematic sampling was used to select each household. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered and then ocular examination done for those with visual acuity less than 6/18.
Results - A total of 251 participants were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of visual impairment(6/18≥3/60) was found to be 16.8% and that of blindness was 3.6%. The major cause of visual impairment was found to be cataract at 45.2% followed by refractive error(41.4%), trachomatous CO(4.8%), Glaucoma(4.8%) and other(2.4%). Whereas the major cause of blindness was found to be glaucoma(33.33%) followed by trachomatous CO and cataract both at 22.2%. Using bivariate correlation, education level and reported history of reduction of vision were the only variables found to be correlated to visual Impairment and blindness and were statistically significant at p=0.015.
Conclusion - This study showed the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness to be high in Butajira town. Although the small sample size might make it difficult for extrapolation but has shown the continued need for ophthalmic service as cataract and refractive error are still the leading causes of visual impairment. It also showed glaucoma as the major cause of blindness which indicates further screening with IOP and disc evaluation is needed for the detection.
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Visual Impairment and Blindness