Prevalence and associated factors of refractive error among adults in South Ethiopia, a community-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The increasing prevalence of refractive error has become a serious health issue that needs serious attention. However, there are few studies regarding the prevalence and associated factors of refractive error at the community level in Ethiopia as well as in the study area. Therefore, providing updated data is crucial to reduce the burdens of refractive error in the community. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of refractive error among adults in Hawassa City, South Ethiopia, 2023. METHOD: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 951 adults using a multistage sampling technique from May 8 to June 8, 2023, in Hawassa City, South Ethiopia. A pretested, structured questionnaire combined with an ocular examination and a refraction procedure was used to collect data. The collected data from the Kobo Toolbox was exported to a statistical package for social sciences for analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant in the multivariable analysis. RESULT: A total of 894 study participants were involved in this study with a 94.1% response rate. The prevalence of refractive error was 12.3% (95% CI: 10.2, 14.5%). Regular use of electronic devices (adjusted odds ratio = 3.64, 95% CI: 2.25, 5.91), being diabetic (adjusted odds ratio = 4.02, 95% CI: 2.16, 7.48), positive family history of refractive error (adjusted odds ratio = 2.71, 95% CI 1.59, 4.61) and positive history of cataract surgery (adjusted odds ratio = 5.17, 95% CI 2.19, 12.4) were significantly associated with refractive error. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The overall magnitude of refractive error in our study area was high. Regular use of electronic devices, being diabetic, positive family history of refractive error, and a positive history of cataract surgery were associated with refractive error.

Sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and its predictors among patients with diabetes visiting Adare General Hospital in Southern Ethiopia: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and its predictors among patients with diabetes attending Adare General Hospital in Southern Ethiopia. DESIGN: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a systematic random sampling method. SETTING: The study was conducted at the diabetic clinic of Adare General Hospital in Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 391 patients with diabetes aged ≥18 years who had attended the diabetic clinic of Adare General Hospital in Southern Ethiopia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected using questionnaires completed by an interviewer, a review of medical records and eye examinations. RESULT: The study included 391 patients with diabetes with a median age of 49 years. The prevalence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy was 10.7% (95% CI: 7.7% to 14%). Rural dwellers (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.17, 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.46), duration of diabetes ≥6 years (AOR=2.43, 95% CI: 1.06 to 5.57), poor glycaemic control (AOR=2.80, 95% CI: 1.03 to 7.64), low physical activity (AOR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.01 to 8.05), hypertension (AOR=3.25, 95% CI: 1.48 to 7.15) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (AOR=3.32, 95% CI: 1.18 to 9.33) were significantly associated with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: This study showed a high prevalence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. Sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy was significantly associated with modified factors such as glycaemic control, hypertension, physical activity and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, all patients with diabetes were recommended to maintain normal blood glucose, avoid hypertension, exercise regularly and have regular eye examinations.

Trachoma Prevention Practice and Associated Factors in Rural Lemo District, Southern Ethiopia, 2021.

Background: Trachoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness. It is more prevalent in areas where there is poor personal and environmental sanitation. Implementing a SAFE strategy will reduce the incidence of trachoma. The purpose of this study was to look into trachoma prevention practices and associated factors in rural Lemo, South Ethiopian communities. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in the rural Lemo district of south Ethiopia, covering 552 households, from July 1 - July 30, 2021. We used a multistage sampling technique. Seven Kebeles were selected using a simple random sampling method. Then, a systematic random sampling procedure with a five-interval size was applied to select the households.Our study assessed the association between the outcome variable and explanatory variables using binary and multivariate logistic regressions. The adjusted odds ratio was calculated, and variables with a p-value below 0.05 at the 95% confidence interval (CI) were considered statistically significant. Results: The study found that 59.6% (95% CI: 55.5%-63.7%) of participants had good trachoma prevention practices. Having a favorable attitude (odds ratio [AOR]: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.26-2.89), receiving health education (AOR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.46-3.21), and obtaining water from a public pipe (AOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.09-5.66) were significantly associated with good trachoma prevention practice. Conclusions: Fifty-nine percent of the participants had good prevention practices for trachoma. Health education, a favorable attitude, and a water source from public pipes were variables associated with good trachoma prevention practice. Improving water sources and disseminating health information are vital to increasing trachoma prevention practices.

Association of Poor Quality of Sleep with Vision-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy: A Matched Case-Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: Vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, a long-term microvascular complication of diabetes in the eye, is a major cause of blindness worldwide. Sleep is regulated by a special area of the brain, and poor quality of sleep has been implicated in long-term diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy. The study was aimed at exploring whether poor sleep quality is associated with the likelihood of developing vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: A matched case-control study was conducted from 6 May 2022 to 6 September 2022. The study was based on patients with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2), attending a retina clinic of the referral center. Patients with confirmed vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy were defined as cases and matched with control study subjects. Rating of sleep quality was done by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index assessment tool. Conditional logistic regression model was applied to assess the effect of overall poor sleep quality on vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: The study recruited a total of 126 (63 duration-matched pairs) patients with diabetes. The overall quality of sleep was poor among 71.90% of patients in the case groups, significantly higher compared with those of the control groups (28.10%) (p < 0.00). The mean quality of sleep for cases [mean (M) = 7.10, standard deviation (SD) = 4.30] was higher than the control group (M = 3.60, SD = 2.70). The magnitude of the difference [M difference = 3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.25-4.75] was significant. Poor sleep quality predicted the chance of developing vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy in a diabetic cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a significant association between the overall poor quality of sleep and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. Co-management of sleep disruption and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, and better sleep advisory are warranted.

Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients visiting Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia, 2022.

BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of visual impairment among diabetic patients has become a major public health problem. However, there was limited information on the extent of visual impairment among diabetic patients in our country, and there was no study in the study area. Providing updated data regarding this area is critical for the prevention of visual impairment among diabetic patients. PURPOSE: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients visiting Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia, 2022. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on adult diabetic patients from May 30 to July 15, 2022, at Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 398 study participants. Data was collected through a face-to-face interview, a medical chart review, and an ocular examination. A binary logistic regression was performed to identify potential risk factors for visual impairment and their strength of association was expressed using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Variables with a P-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULT: In this study, a total of 391 participants were involved, with a response rate of 98.2%. The prevalence of visual impairment was 28.6% (95% CI: 24.6-33.0). Age ≥ 60 years (AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.72, 10.71), poor physical exercise (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.62, 6.53), poor glycemic control (AOR = 4.34, 95% CI: 2.26, 8.34), history of eye examination (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.50, 5.76), duration of diabetes ≥ 9 years (AOR = 4.78, 95% CI: 2.11, 10.83) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.21, 7.50) were positively associated with visual impairment. CONCLUSION: The study found a high prevalence of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients. Older age, longer duration of diabetes, poor physical exercise, poor glycemic control, history of eye examination, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were significantly associated with visual impairment. Thus, regular physical activity, good control of glucose levels, and regular eye exams were recommended for all diabetic patients.

Attitude Towards Traditional Eye Medicine and Associated Factors Among Adult Ophthalmic Patients Attending University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital-Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Traditional eye medicine is a form of biologically based therapies, practices, or partially processed organic or inorganic agents that can be applied to the eye and lead to a blinding complication. Attitude towards those medicines plays a pertinent role in the practice of those traditional eye medicines. OBJECTIVE: To determine attitude towards traditional eye medicine and associated factors among adult ophthalmic patients attending University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital-Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 417 newly presenting adult ophthalmic patients who were selected by using a systematic random sampling method from June 22 to August 11, 2020. The data from the interview-based structured questionnaire were entered into Epi Info 7 and analyzed by SPSS 20. Frequency and cross-tabulations were used for descriptive analysis. Association between variables was analyzed using binary logistic regression through the enter method with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: A total of 417 subjects with a 98.8% response rate have participated in the study. Of the total study subjects, 60.7% (253) (95% CI: 19-26%) had a positive attitude towards traditional eye medicine. Residing in a rural area (AOR=6.46 (95% CI: 2.89-14.45)), positive family history of traditional eye medicine use (AOR=8.01 (95% CI: 4.17-15.37)) and availability of traditional healer (AOR=19.43 (95% CI: 12.06-31.64)) were significantly associated with a positive attitude towards traditional eye medicine. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Most adult ophthalmic patients had a positive attitude towards traditional eye medicine. Residing in a rural, availability of a traditional healer, and positive family history of traditional eye medicine use had a significant positive association with a positive attitude. Educating the traditional healers on safe practices is crucial in reducing the burden.

Stereoacuity Among Patients with Refractive Error at University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the level of stereopsis, proportion of poor stereopsis, and factors influencing stereopsis in adults with refractive error. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted on 153 adults with refractive error at Gondar University Hospital Tertiary Eye Care Center from April 08 to June 07, 2019. Structured questionnaires and ophthalmic instruments (Retinoscope, Worth Four Dot test and TNO Stereo plates) were used to collect the data. Data were entered and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The result was summarized using summary statistics such as mean. Chi-squared test of association was applied between stereopsis and independent variables. RESULTS: The level of stereopsis after correction of refractive error ranged from 1.89 to 2.65 log arc second. Before correction of refractive error, poor stereopsis was observed in 46.4% of the participants, while after correction, it dropped to 39.8% (CI: 95%: 31.1%-47.8%). Stereopsis after correction had a significant association with age, best visual acuity, type of refractive error, and fusional status at distance with a p value < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Given refractive error corrected, the mean stereopsis in patients with refractive error was 2.42 log arc second. Proportion of poor stereopsis was noted in 39.8% of the participants corrected for refractive error. Age, best corrected visual acuity, type of refractive error, and fusional status had a significant association with stereopsis. Further studies on stereoacuity on a large scale are recommended.

Prevalence of common mental disorders and associated factors among adults with Glaucoma attending University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital tertiary eye care and training center, Northwest, Ethiopia 2020.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders and associated factors among adults with glaucoma at Gondar university comprehensive specialized hospital tertiary eye care and training center. Glaucoma predisposes patients to common mental problems and leads to wasteful, costly and inefficient use of medical services and complications of the diagnoses. So, determining the level and factors associated with common mental disorders among glaucoma patient would help to improve and integrate comprehensive ophthalmic services which address common mental disorder in a follow-up visit. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 495 glaucoma patients selected by using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interview and chart review. Self-reported questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess the presence of common mental disorders. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with common mental disorders. Variables with P<0.05 were considered as factors significantly associated with common mental disorders. RESULT: Four hundred sixty-eight patients were included in this study with a response rate of 94.54%. The mean age of the participant was 58 ± 14.11 years. The prevalence of common mental disorders was found to be 29.5% (95% CI 25.4-33.3). Female sex (AOR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.66-8.62) (p-value = 0.001), average monthly income of less than 1200 birr (AOR = 6.05 95% CI: 2.26-16.22) (p-value = 0.001), poor level of social support (AOR = 17.39 95% CI: 7.79-38.82) (p-value = 0.001), moderate and high risk of alcohol use (AOR = 10.42 95%CI: 2.74-39.54) (p-value = 0.001), presence of chronic medical illness (AOR = 3.85 95% CI: 2.07-7.16) (p-value = 0.001), receiving both drug and surgical treatment (AOR = 2.50, 95%CI: 1.30-4.83) (p-value = 0.006) and presence of systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors use (AOR = 3.16, 95%CI: 1.65-6.06) (p-value = 0.001) were significantly associated with increased level of common mental disorders. CONCLUSION: Significant numbers of glaucoma patients have CMD and found significantly associated with socio-economic, ocular and systemic clinical factors. Therefore, the integration of psychosocial care into the current treatment of patients with glaucoma would have a significant advantage to help these patients.