Determinants of visual impairment caused by uncorrected refractive error among 5–15-year-old children attending schools in coastal areas of Cape Coast, Ghana.

Abstract

Epidemiological study of determinants of vision problems is important in developing strategies for the prevention of visual impairment. This study set out to assess the determinants of visual impairment caused by uncorrected refractive error among children aged between 5-15 years attending primary schools in the coastal areas of Cape Coast. Random selection of public and private schools in geographically defined clusters was used to identify a cross sectional sample of 3,088 eligible school children (M = 9.44, SD = 2.17) for visual acuity measurement and in-school ophthalmic examination. Potential determinants of visual impairment including age, gender, type of schooling, body mass index, socio-economic status (SES), school academic achievement, parental refractive status, and amount of near work were examined in multivariate logistic regression models. Prevalence of uncorrected, presenting, and best visual acuity was 10.3, 9.9 and 2.1% respectively. Prevalence of visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error was 2.7% (n=83). Older age, attending private school, belonging to middle and high SES, and being overweight were the predictive factors. Being of older age was the strongest determinant of visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error in children attending schools around the coastal areas of Cape Coast, Ghana. School health programs should be augmented to incorporate regular in-school eye screening services.