| SHORT COMMUNICATION |
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| Year : 2017 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 2 | Page : 127-131 |
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Ocular morbidity among Senior high school students in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana
David Ben Kumah, Mohammed Abdul-Kabir, Reynolds Kwame Ablordeppey, Kofi Adu-Gyamfi, Kweku Bonsu, Bright Asare-Bediako, Ernest Nkansah Kyei
Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Correspondence Address:
David Ben Kumah
Department of Optometry and Visual Science, B8, COS Building, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB Kumasi, 0023 Ghana
Ghana
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijhas.IJHAS_61_16
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BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that the majority of nonblinding eye diseases may be of significant burden to the population and health system of developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of ocular morbidities among senior high school students and their association with age and sex in public senior high schools in the Kumasi metropolis.
METHODS: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Six hundred and sixty-two students, with ages ranging from 14 to 20 years, from 12 randomly selected schools were examined and included in the study. The detailed examination included visual acuity measurement, external examination with a pen torch, ophthalmoscopy, +1 blur test, cover test, and subjective refraction.
RESULTS: Out of 662 students examined, 90% suffered at least one ocular condition. The most common morbidity was allergy (31.1%), followed by allergic conjunctivitis (22.2%), refractive error (10.0%), dry eye (6.9%), suspicious disc (3.6%), bacterial conjunctivitis (2.9%), foreign body (2.7%), glaucoma suspect (1.4%), and papillitis (0.5%). More females suffered ocular problems than males.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ocular morbidity among senior high school students in the metropolis is high, with allergies being the most common. Eye health education, regular eye examination, and adequate classroom illumination should be implemented in senior high schools. |
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