article · BMC Ophthalmology
A community-based cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and determinant factors of visual impairment among adults aged 18 years and older in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia. Using systematic random sampling, 416 participants completed interviews and underwent comprehensive anterior and posterior segment ocular examinations conducted by optometrists and an ophthalmologist. Visual impairment was defined as presenting distance visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the worst eye. The overall prevalence was 16.8 per cent, with 6.49 per cent presenting bilateral impairment and 10.34 per cent having monocular impairment. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that age over 64 years, illiteracy, previous ocular trauma, a family size greater than five, and a family history of eye problems were statistically significant risk factors. The findings demonstrate that visual impairment constitutes a major public health concern closely tied to demographic and familial factors.
Visual impairment restricts mobility, limits social participation, and reduces overall quality of life. Pinpointing the frequency of vision loss and its demographic associations helps health organisations understand the local disease burden. These insights guide healthcare planners in directing targeted optical screenings, preventive interventions, and community health resources towards vulnerable groups such as elderly individuals and households with recurring vision problems.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway. As an observational epidemiological study, the findings provide baseline demand data that public health agencies or eye-care clinics could use to deploy screening programmes, but the work does not describe or test any commercial products, devices, or market-ready services.
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BACKGROUND: Visual impairment refers to presenting distance visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the worst eye. It remains a global challenge that greatly affects the mobility, social participation and the quality of life of the people. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults aged ≥ 18 years. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Berhan town. Systematic random sampling method was employed to select the study participants from adult's aged ≥18 years. Data was collected by interview with a pre-tested semi structured questionnaire. Both anterior and posterior segment ocular examinations were done by Optometrists and Ophthalmologist. After all ocular examinations adult's aged ≥18 years with presenting Visual acuity of < 6/18 in the worst eye were considered as visually impaired. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the determinant factors and p value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 416 participants were enrolled in the study with a 98.6% response rate. The prevalence of visual impairment among adults aged ≥ 18 years was 16.8% (95% CI, 13.5-20.2%). Among the overall prevalence of visually impaired adults 27 (6.49%) had bilateral VI and 43 (10.34%) had monocular VI. Aged > 64 years (AOR = 12.18, 95%CI: 4.47-33.20), illiterates AOR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.36-6.72), previous eye trauma (AOR = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.64-12.04), family size > 5 (AOR: 4.44, 95% CI: 1.43-13.75) and family history of eye problem (AOR = 7.02, 95% CI: 1.95-25.22) had statistically significant association with visual impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of visual impairment among adults was found to be a significant public health problem. Older age, illiterates, previous eye trauma, large family size and family history eye problem were positively associated with visual impairment.
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DOI: 10.1186/s12886-020-01586-8
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