Visual acuity status of primary school children in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To assess the visual acuity status of primary school children in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit participants for the study. Socio-demographic data and the ocular history of the pupils were collected using a structured pre-tested researcher administered questionnaire while the alphabet Snellen chart was used to measure their visual acuity. Data analysis was by SPSS version 16 statistical software.

Results: A total of 126 school children made up of 56 (44.4%) males and 70 (55.6%) females participated in the study. Fifty (39.7%) had visual complaints made up of 22 (44.0%) pupils with poor distant vision, 20 (40.0%) with poor near vision and 8 (16.0%) with eye pain while reading. Half (50.0%) of the pupils have had visual symptoms in the past and a higher proportion 40 (63.5%) resulted from trauma to the eyes. Majority 103 (81.7%) of pupils had visual acuity of 6/6 or better. There was no statistically significant association between the age group (p = 0.942), sex (p = 0.674), positive family history of visual disorders (p = 0.167) and the visual acuity of the pupils.

Conclusion: The prevalence of visual acuity < 6/6 was found to be high among public primary school children in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. There is need for a regular and periodic visual screening in primary schools.