Refractive Errors among Saudi Medical and Pharmacy Female Students: A Questionnaire Survey Study
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences - Year 2016, Vol 7, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Visual impairment due to refractive errors (RE) is one of the most common problems worldwide. Uncorrected refractive errors pose a considerable impact on student’s learning, academic achievement and by extension employability. Education and near-work are both strongly associated with increasing severity of RE. Aim: To determine the prevalence of refractive errors among medical and pharmacy female students in Qassim University, KSA. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study of all medical and pharmacy female students in Qassim university, KSA aged 17-23 years from September to December 2015 was conducted. A questionnaire containing demographic characteristics, onset of refractive error and parental history of wearing glasses was filled by each student. For each eye independently, visual acuity (VA) was assessed using the Snellen Tumbling C eye chart at 6 meters distance. Pinhole test to evaluate the improvement of VA was used where its improvement was considered as a refractive error. Results: A total of 223 female students were studied. The prevalence of refractive errors was 72.2%. Inability to see distant objects was used as a preliminary indicator of myopia which represented 61.5%. Despite RE is prevalent, only 11.7% of the studied group with RE wore spectacles during the time of the study, cosmetic reason (70.2%), as one of the cultural barriers, was the major cause behind that. Positive parental history, studying for 6 hours or more/day and student performance of excellent/very good were the significant risk factors for RE. Conclusion: Prospective studies among medical university students involved in prolonged reading to confirm the pattern of RE and its progression during the course of study as compared to other students are advocated. Moreover, there is a need for further studies to evaluate the cultural beliefs surrounding female use of spectacles in Saudi communities.
Authors and Affiliations
Manal Ahmad Al-Batanony
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP328413
- DOI 10.9734/JAMPS/2016/24633
- Views 67
- Downloads 0
Evaluation of CNS Depressant, Antidiarrheal and Antipyretic Activities of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Calophyllum inophyllum L. on Swiss Albino Mice
Objective: The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the CNS depressant, antidiarrheal and antipyretic activities of ethanolic leaf extract of Calophyllum inophyllum L. Methods: In the present study CNS dep...
Evaluation of Phytochemical and in vitro Antimicrobial Effects of Solanum lycopersicum Linn. (Tomato) on Oral Thrush and Human Cariogenic Pathogens
Aims: Study on the evaluation of phytochemical and antimicrobial effects of tomato Solanum lycopersicum (L.) on oral thrush and human cariogenic pathogens was designed to determine the antimicrobial effect of tomato extr...
Molecular Detection of Azurin: A Powerful Anticancer Protein from Native Pseudomonas Isolates
Aim: The present study was carried out to isolate azurin producing native Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains and confirm its presence using molecular techniques. Study Design: Presence of azurin detection by molecular techn...
Assessing the Prevalence and Patterns of Elder’s Abuse in Imo State, Nigeria: A Rural – Urban Comparative Study
This study highlighted the 12-months prevalence of elder abuse in rural and urban communities in Imo State and also compared the pattern of elder abuse in both communities. A cross-sectional study of 371 rural and 314 ur...
Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Misuse among Newly Diagnosed and Resurged Peptic Ulcer Patients in Maiduguri-City, Nigeria
Background: Many patients are often unaware of the risks posed by indiscriminate use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in aggravating peptic ulcer disease (PUD) related discomfort or delaying its healing....