ISSN 2326-7291
International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 3 (10), pp.089-097, December, 2014.© International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Refractive error among a sample of Female Primary School Children in Taif City, KSA
Dalia E. Desouky1,2, Nighat M. and Tariq-Khan3
1Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Saudi Arabia.
2Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufyia University, Egypt.
3Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Saudi Arabia.
E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 19 September, 2014.
Abstract
Refractive error is the most common cause of vision impairment among children, and schools with long period of engagement in vision screening were effective in detecting undiagnosed cases. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of refractive error among female primary school children. A cross-sectional study was carried out from February to March 2013 using structured questionnaire and visual examination. Visual acuity of 324 students was assessed using the Snellen’s chart. Those with VA 6/12 or less with or without correction in one or both eyes were examined by pinhole test, and an improvement of the VA with pinhole was considered refractive error. The prevalence of RE was 16.4%, and a significant relationship was found between having RE in one side and having a family history of wearing glasses, higher class grades, poor school performance, watching television at a distance less than 3 meters, using internet/ TV daily for more than 3 hours, and indulgence in computer or video games in the other side. The study showed that even in economically advantaged societies, refractive errors can go undetected in children. That is why integration of vision screening for refractive errors into KSA school health programmes is necessary.
Key words: Female, KSA, prevalence, refractive-errors, school-children.