Prevalence of visual impairment among adults aged forty years and above in the MOH area Mahara

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Visual impairment is a worldwide health problem. It affects mainly low and middle income countries with a rapid increase in the aging population. Main causes of visual impairment in Asian countries are cataract and refractive errors. Up to 80% of visual impairment can be prevented and treated cost effectively. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of different types of visual impairment among adults aged forty years and above in the MOH area Mahara. METHODS: This was a community based descriptive cross sectional study, conducted in the MOH area Mahara, during the period between August and October 2009. Study population consisted of 602 adults aged forty years and above selected from applying cluster sampling technique. Study instruments were an interviewer administered questionnaire and a record sheet. Data analysis was done using SPSS 16th version. Prevalence of visual impairment and its 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of visual impairment was 21.3% (95% CI: 18.03-24.57). Prevalence of low vision and blindness were 19.6% (95% CI: 16.43-21.77) and 1.7% (95% CI: 0.67-2.73) respectively. Prevalence of visual impairment with best correction was 11% (95% CI: 8.55-13.45). Prevalence of low vision and blindness with best correction was 8.3% (95% CI: 7.12-11.48) and 1.7% (95% CI: 0.67-2.73). Overall prevalence of refractive error and prevalence of cataract were 11.1% (95% CI: 8.59-13.61) and 14.6% (95% CI: 11.78-17.42) respectively. CONCLUSION: VisuaS impairment was a health problem among adults aged 40 years and above in the MOH area Mahara.