A study on prevalence of myopia and causative factors among primary and middle school students in Hyderabad, India.
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Science and Innovative Research (IJMSIR) - Year 2018, Vol 3, Issue 12
Abstract
Shortsightedness (Myopia) is a growing concern among school going children in India and developing East Asian countries. 27% (1893 million) people are affected with myopia worldwide with 2.8% of them are high myopic as per the reports published by WHO in year 2010. The prevalence of myopia is highest in East Asia, where as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore have a prevalence of approximately 50%, and lower in Australia, Europe and north and South America, based on Preliminary projections 52% will be affected with myopia by the end of 2050 [1] . In an another report published by WHO declared 4949 million people will be affected and 80% of them will be schools going students in Asia. The condition of myopia may be presented as eye rubbing and squeezing of eyes and blurred vision. Myopia commences in schools around 5-15 years of age and tends to stabilize in later age and is mainly idiopathic. High myopia may be associated with myopic macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, peripheral retinal changes and retinal detachment. As per the WHO report major causes of visual impairment in myopia whether corrected or not corrected [2]. As there is no well established or universally accepted method for the prevention of myopia and its onset it is more important to identify risk factors associated with myopia and to create cost effective interventional procedures. However myopia imposes a great health risk and its causative factors whether it is environmental or familial need to be studied. Current research aims to estimate the prevalence and to access contributing factors which causes myopia among primary and middle school students with objective to be explored are 1). To estimate prevalence of myopia among primary and middle school students. 2). To identify the causative factors which contributes to myopia? A cross sectional study based on student population studying in primary and middle private schools in Hyderabad. Multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select study participants. In stage 1 we selected randomly 10 high schools in central Hyderabad and stage 2 three grades of primary school and 2 grades of the middle school were selected randomly. The selection participants were strictly adhered to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Sample size was calculated by using statistical tools at 95% CI and 247 students were enrolled for the study. The mean refractive error was -2.33(±1.7) D in myopic students and overall prevalence of myopia was 61.5% and 95% CI= 59.5-76.4% and no myopia was 38.5%. Regarding categories of myopia, the prevalence of high myopia was 4%, moderate myopia was 12.95% and low myopia was 44.53%. The prevalence of myopia in students is increased along with the growth of grade level and statistically significant p<0.05 between students of myopia and no myopia. The demographic and modifiable risk factors were estimated have shown that the student with myopia spent more time engaged in reading or studying for school assignments, pleasure reading daily, using computer and electronic gadgets weekly, watching television less than 10 feet are compared with no myopia (p<0.05). Analysis revealed odds ratio >1 for all modifiable risk factors, time spent at school > 7 hours (p<0.0001), school assignments> 2 hours per day (p<0.05), pleasure reading > 1 hour per day (p<0.0001), use of electronic gadgets > 7 hours per week (p<0.0001) are positively correlated with no myopia students, statistically significant by x2 (Chi-square) test. Students whose reading distance is < 25 cm (p<0.05) and watching television <10 feet of distance (p<0.05), outdoor activity <7 hours per week (P<0.01) are positively correlated with myopia students. The other probable causative factors, size of the class room, sitting distance from the board and ventilation to natural light was also correlated in our studies. Statistical analysis of size of the class room (m2) with myopic and non myopic students revealed a positive correlation, a linear regression was calculated along with ANOVA (F=458.3, p<0.0001) and it was statistically significant. Myopia or near sightedness among the primary and middle school students It is a significant public health problem in Hyderabad. Needs the attention of the policy makers and researchers and public health professionals to develop certain rules and introduce new methods of teaching in class rooms and interventions to decrease the prevalence of myopia among school students. Further educational campaigns directed at families and schools are needed to improve awareness of the serious consequences of myopia among school students and adopt interventional methods like eye exercises for 10 to 15 min to be introduced in their school protocol.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr. Mujahid Mohammed
Keywords
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