ABSTRACT
Assistive devices for people with visual disability is growing rapidly over the past few years around the world. These devices enhance the functioning and performance of daily living skills, thereby improves the independent living and quality of life of these individuals. These innovations range from low to high cost and it includes devices which assist the visually impaired individual in mobility, reading, writing, daily living, and communication technologies. Children primarily need these devices for education whereas adults use these devices for doing daily routine tasks. It is expected that the need and demand of these devices and technologies will increase over time due to the exceptional growth in the proportion of population with visual impairment, specifically in low middle-income countries like India. Therefore, the first and forefront strategy is to introduce assistive devices to the visually impaired individuals and create awareness, sensitize eye care professionals, potential beneficiaries, caregivers, and their families. The present paper will highlight some of the assistive devices and technologies which will increase the independence in doing activities of daily living as well as increase the quality of life of individuals suffering from visual impairment.
ABSTRACT
Socio-ecological determinants of high myopia incidence among school students largely remain unexplored, especially in developing countries. A cross‑sectional study was conducted in rural schools in North India to assess the relationship between these determinants and myopia among adolescent students. A public health nurse used a pre-tested questionnaire (demographics, family ocular status, and screen time) and Snellen’s chart for testing visual acuity, and referred suspected cases for cycloplegic refraction assessment. Among the total of 955 students, the median (range) age was 14 (13–15) years. The prevalence of myopia was 5.03% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.99–5.07). Myopia was found to be associated with computer usage at school (P = 0.058), malnutrition (P = 0.001), and familial myopia (P = 0.079) in the bivariate analysis. Significant predictors of myopia in the regression model were females (odd ratio [OR]: 6.29; 95% CI: 2.69–14.72), higher maternal age (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1–1.17), and reading distance <20 cm (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.01–3.87).
Subject(s)
Contraception Behavior , Family Planning Services , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , India , PregnancyABSTRACT
It is seen that outcome of animal bites is influenced by various factors including the treatment procedures practiced by health care providers (HCPs). A cross sectional study of health care providers was conducted during May 2000 in PHC Kurali and Naraingarh town of community development block Naraingarh in district Ambala, Haryana. A total of forty-four HCPs were interviewed at their health facility. They were asked about the qualification and number of years in practice. Health care providers were assessed for their knowledge regarding history taking, immediate management of animal bite, post bite anti-rabies treatment, follow up advice and availability of vaccines. Pre-exposure prophylaxis was known to 18.8% of HCPs. Fifty-nine per cent of HCPs were confident in managing dog bites and 93.1% knew about tissue culture vaccine. Vaccine cost was the commonest barrier (38.8%) in the management of animal bites. This study shows a gross difference between awareness and actual practice of management of animal bites.