Ocular Protection Practice and Associated Factors Among Ethiopian Welders: Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Work-related ocular injury is a global public health problem, particularly among welders and is reduced through proper ocular protection practice. No previous studies have explored ocular protection practice and associated factors among welders in Ethiopia or in the study area. Objective: This study aimed to assess the proportion of ocular protection practice and associated factors among welders in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 welders in Gondar city, selected using systematic random sampling with an interval of 2, from July 6 to 23, 2021. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with ocular protection practice and association was expressed using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Variables with a P-value of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Of 396 participated welders, 81.8% worked without job training, and 33.1% had faced ocular injury. Nearly 86% of welders had access to personal protective eyewear but their knowledge and attitude towards personal protective eyewear were 48.2% (95% CI: 44.8, 51.4) and 61.4% (95% CI: 57.6, 64.7), respectively. The proportion of a good-level of ocular protection practice was 56.8% (95% CI: 52.8, 61.9). Being gas welder (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.26, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.53), work experience (AOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.21), job training (AOR = 4.90, 95% CI: 2.32, 10.35), welders rated the cost of personal protective eyewear as fair (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.26, 4.20) and history ocular injury (AOR = 4.20, 95% CI: 2.40, 6.97) were positively associated with a good-level proportion of ocular protection practice. Conclusion: This study found that the proportion of a good-level of ocular protection practice of welders was fair. Being gas welder, job training, work experience, history of ocular injury and welders rated the cost of personal protective eyewear as fair were significantly associated with a good-level of ocular protection practice.

Trachoma prevention practice and associated factors among mothers having children aged under nine years in Andabet district, northwest Ethiopia, 2022: A multi-level analysis.

BACKGROUND: The world health organization (WHO) adopted the Surgery, Antibiotic, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement (SAFE) strategy for the prevention of trachoma, and different prevention strategies have been employed in Andabet district. Trachoma still has a high prevalence despite these efforts. So, it is imperative to assess ground trachoma prevention practice (TPP) since there are insufficient studies in the study area. OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude and factors associated with TPP among mothers having children aged under nine years in Andabet district, Northwest Ethiopia. METHOD: A community-based cross-sectional study involving 624 participants was conducted June 1-30, 2022. Systematic random sampling was carried out to select study participants. Multi-level binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with poor TPP. Descriptive and summary statistics were performed and variables with p-value < 0.05 in the best-fitted model were declared to be significantly associated with poor TPP. RESULTS: In this study, the proportion of poor TPP was found to be 50.16% (95%CI = 46.23, 54.08). In the multi-variable multi-level logistic regression; having no formal education (AOR = 2.95; 95%CI: 1.41,6.15) and primary education (AOR = 2.33; 95%CI:1.04, 5.24), being a farmer (AOR = 3.02; 95%CI:1.73,5.28), and merchant (AOR = 2.63; 95%CI:1.20, 5.75), time taken to water point >30 minutes (AOR = 4.60,95CI:1.30,16.26) and didn't receive health education about trachoma (AOR = 2.36;95CI:1.16,4.79) were significantly associated with poor TPP. CONCLUSION: The proportion of poor TPP was high relative to other studies. Level of education, occupation, time taken to the water point, and health education were significantly associated with poor TPP. Therefore, taking special attention to these high-risk groups could decrease the poor TPP.

Determinants for late presentation of glaucoma among adult glaucomatous patients in University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is a disease which causes optic nerve damage and remains a major public health concern worldwide. Late presentation is a major risk factor for glaucoma induced blindness. The aim of this study was to assess determinants for late presentation of glaucoma among adult glaucomatous patients. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted among 452 adult glaucomatous patients. Late presenters were glaucoma patients diagnosed with cup to disc ratio (CDR) > 0.8 and mean deviation of greater than -14 decibel in either of the eyes at their first presentation. Study participants were selected among glaucomatous follow-up patients by using systematic random sampling. Data were entered into EPI Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify determinants. Variables with P-value < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULT: The mean age of participants were 55.1 ± 13.2 years. Being > 60 years of age, 4.51 times (AOR: 4.51; 95% CI: 1.74, 11.67), resided > 53 km away from the hospital 6.02 times (AOR: 6.02; 2.76, 13.14), Presenting IOP > 30 mmHg, 4.49 times (AOR: 4.49, 95% CI: 2.10, 9.12), poor knowledge of glaucoma, 4.46 times (AOR: 4.46, CI: 2.62, 7.58) and absence of regular eye checkup, 2.35 times (AOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.09, 5.47) higher odds of being late presenter. CONCLUSION: Increasing age, high IOP, poor knowledge of glaucoma, residing far away from the hospital and absence of regular eye checkups were significantly associated with late presentation.

Attitude and related factors towards strabismus among adults living in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Cultural belief in Ethiopia showed that strabismus can be caused by exposure to sunlight during infancy, an outrage from God, and looking sideways. In addition, Ethiopians also believe that strabismus can resolve by its self and is a sign of good luck. Due to these reasons many patients with strabismus come to eye care clinics after developing amblyopia. This study aimed to assess the level of attitude and related factors toward strabismus among adults living in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample size of 634 adults from April 9 to April 23, 2019. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews, and the study participants were chosen by applying a multistage random sampling technique. Data were entered with EPI info version 7 and imported into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Frequency, statistical summary, and cross-tabulations were used for the descriptive analysis of the entered data. Binary logistic regression was fitted, and all independent variables with a P-value of less than 0.2 in the bivariable analysis were entered into a multivariable binary logistic regression. Variables with a P-value of less than or equal to 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Respondents who answered greater than or equal to the median score of attitude-related questions were designated to have a favorable attitude toward strabismus. In this study, 602 adults were participated with a response rate of 94.9% and the median age of the participants was 33 ± 14 years. The overall proportion of favorable attitudes toward strabismus was 71.8%. Having secondary school as an educational status (AOR = 2.8 (95% CI: 1.2, 6.4)) and heard about strabismus (AOR = 7.4 (95%CI: 3.7, 14.9)) were positively whereas being unemployed (AOR = 0.3(95% CI: 0.1, 0.7)) and high monthly income (AOR = 0.5(95%CI: 0.3, 0.9)) were negatively associated with a favorable attitude regarding strabismus. Eighty-five percent (88.5%) of participants agreed that early treatment of strabismus had a better outcome. Besides, 57.6% of participants have agreed that untreated strabismus can cause amblyopia. About three fourth of the study participants had a favorable attitude toward strabismus. Educational status, heard about strabismus, occupation, and monthly income were significantly associated with a favorable attitude toward strabismus. Most of the study participants agreed that untreated strabismus can cause poor cosmoses. Fear of surgery and high cost were reported by study participants as the main barriers to seeking treatment of strabismus.

Knowledge and Attitude of Refractive Error Among Public High School Students in Gondar City.

INTRODUCTION: Refractive error (RE) is the main cause of visual impairment and blindness in the world. Lack of knowledge and unfavorable attitude of refractive error can have long-term consequences and dramatic effects in children and adults, such as loss of educational and employment opportunities, loss of economic gain for individuals, families, and societies, and impaired quality of life. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and attitude of refractive error among public high school students in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 390 public high school students. Those participants were selected by applying a systematic random sampling technique with an interval of 4. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. The collected data were entered into Epi Info version 7.0 and exported into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Results were described using tables and text. RESULTS: A total of 390 study participants were included in this study with a 92.4% response rate. The overall proportion of good knowledge and a favorable attitude towards a refractive error were 53.8% and 52.1%, respectively. From the study participants, 38.7%, 41.7%, and 64.1% did not know the definition, the risk factors, and the symptoms of refractive error, respectively. Moreover, about 31.3% of the participants believed that wearing spectacle could damage their eyes, whereas 44.1% of the participants agreed with the need for spectacle correction for young people with RE. CONCLUSION: The proportion of good knowledge and a favorable attitude towards refractive error among public high school students were fair. We recommended that eye care practitioners be committed to increasing the knowledge and attitude of students towards refractive error through eye health education to reduce visual impairment due to refractive error.

Knowledge of Childhood Blindness and Associated Factors Among Parents or Guardians in Maksegnit Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood blindness is defined as a group of eye diseases occurring in childhood or early adolescence. Good parental knowledge of childhood blindness is important for early detection and management of the lifelong burden. PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess knowledge of childhood blindness and associated factors among parents or guardians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study participants. Data were collected by interview using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the determinant factors, and p-values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 524 participants were enrolled in the study, with a 98.49% response rate. The proportion of good knowledge of childhood blindness was 39.1% (95% CI: 34.9-43.3%). Being male (AOR=2.32, 95% CI: 1.4-3.87), higher educational status (AOR=6.47, 95% CI: 2.4-17.3), knowing where the child eye care center is (AOR=2.68, 95% CI: 1.5-4.7) and participation in eye care campaigns (AOR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.26-3.0) had statistically significant associations with knowledge of childhood blindness. CONCLUSION: Less than half of the study participants had good knowledge about childhood blindness. Being male, having higher educational status, knowing about the child eye care center and participation in eye care campaigns were positively associated with knowledge of childhood blindness.

Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults at Debre Berhan town, North Shewa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Visual impairment refers to presenting distance visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the worst eye. It remains a global challenge that greatly affects the mobility, social participation and the quality of life of the people. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults aged ≥ 18 years. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Berhan town. Systematic random sampling method was employed to select the study participants from adult's aged ≥18 years. Data was collected by interview with a pre-tested semi structured questionnaire. Both anterior and posterior segment ocular examinations were done by Optometrists and Ophthalmologist. After all ocular examinations adult's aged ≥18 years with presenting Visual acuity of < 6/18 in the worst eye were considered as visually impaired. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the determinant factors and p value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 416 participants were enrolled in the study with a 98.6% response rate. The prevalence of visual impairment among adults aged ≥ 18 years was 16.8% (95% CI, 13.5-20.2%). Among the overall prevalence of visually impaired adults 27 (6.49%) had bilateral VI and 43 (10.34%) had monocular VI. Aged > 64 years (AOR = 12.18, 95%CI: 4.47-33.20), illiterates AOR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.36-6.72), previous eye trauma (AOR = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.64-12.04), family size > 5 (AOR: 4.44, 95% CI: 1.43-13.75) and family history of eye problem (AOR = 7.02, 95% CI: 1.95-25.22) had statistically significant association with visual impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of visual impairment among adults was found to be a significant public health problem. Older age, illiterates, previous eye trauma, large family size and family history eye problem were positively associated with visual impairment.

Knowledge towards Strabismus and Associated Factors among Adults in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Strabismus/squint is an ocular misalignment in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. It is an avoidable cause of blindness and has a global prevalence which ranges from 2% to 6%. Knowledge of eye diseases is important in encouraging people to seek early treatment, which further helps in reducing the burden of visual impairment. Studies in Ethiopia showed that the level of good knowledge was 37%. There is a lack of information regarding knowledge and related factors of strabismus in the study area and limited in Ethiopia at large. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to asses knowledge about strabismus and associated factors among adults in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested structured questionnaire through face to face interview from April 17 to May 01, 2019. Using multistage random sampling, 553 participants were included. Data from the entire questionnaire were coded, entered into Epi info version 7, and exported to SPSS version 20 for processing and analysis. Binary logistic regression was fitted, and variables with P value <0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 553 adults with a response rate of 93.25% participated in the study. The median age was 33 (IQR = 14) years. Among the participants, 52.3% (95% CI: 47.9-56.4) had good knowledge towards strabismus. Being a student (AOR = 2.15, (95% CI: 1.11-4.13) was positively associated, while monthly income >5000 birrs (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.26-0.76) was negatively associated with good knowledge about strabismus. CONCLUSION: Almost half of the participants had good knowledge. Occupation and monthly income had a significant association with knowledge about strabismus. Since the source of information (TV/radio and Internet) was extremely important for the reliability and the level of knowledge, it is better to have sufficient media coverage.

Adherence to topical glaucoma medications and associated factors in Gondar University Hospital Tertiary Eye Care Center, northwest Ethiopia.

PURPOSE:: The purpose of the study was to determine proportion of adherence to topical glaucoma medications and associated factors among glaucoma patients in Gondar University Hospital Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS:: This cross-sectional design study was conducted on 360 participants from April-May 2017. Structured questionnaire was completed and adherence was assessed by patients' self-report survey. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the determinant factors. The significance was considered at p value less than 0.05. RESULT:: More than half, 221 (61.4%) (95% confidence interval: 56.1-66.7), of the study participants were found to adhere well to glaucoma medications. Male sex (adjusted odds ratio = 1.86 (95% confidence interval: 1.13-3.06)), urban residence (adjusted odds ratio = 2.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.46-3.72)), normal visual acuity (adjusted odds ratio = 2.23 (95% confidence interval: 1.13-4.42)), low visual acuity (adjusted odds ratio = 1.74 (95% confidence interval: 1.05-2.88)), and self-sponsor for medications (adjusted odds ratio = 0.21 (95% confidence interval: 0.12-0.38)) were significantly associated with good adherence. CONCLUSION:: The level of medication adherence to topical glaucoma medications is not good enough as compared to other studies done in Ethiopia. Male sex, urban residence, normal, and low visual acuity were positive predictors, whereas self-sponsored for medications was negative predictors for good adherence to glaucoma medications.

Prevalence and associated factors of computer vision syndrome among bank workers in Gondar City, northwest Ethiopia, 2015.

INTRODUCTION: Use of computers is generally encouraged; this is to keep up with the fast-moving world of technology, research and science. Extensive use of computers will result in computer vision syndrome (CVS), and the prevalence is increased dramatically. The main objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of CVS among bank workers in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional institution-based study was conducted among computer-using bank workers in Gondar city from April to June, 2015. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and observations with checklists, entered with Epi Info™ 7 and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were carried out to compute the different rates, proportion and relevant associations. RESULTS: Among the total 304 computer-using bank workers, the prevalence of CVS was 73% (95% confidence interval [CI]=68.04, 78.02). Blurred vision (42.4%), headache (23.0%) and redness (23.0%) were the most experienced symptoms. Inappropriate sitting position was 2.3 times (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.33; 95% CI=1.27, 4.28) more likely to be associated with CVS when compared with appropriate sitting position. Those working on the computer for more than 20 minutes without break were nearly 2 times (AOR=1.93; 95% CI=1.11, 3.35) more likely to have suffered from CVS when compared with those taking break within 20 minutes, and those wearing eye glasses were 3 times (AOR=3.19; 95% CI=1.07, 9.51) more likely to suffer from CVS when compared with those not wearing glasses. CONCLUSION: About three-fourths of computer-using bank workers suffered from CVS with the most experienced symptoms being blurred vision, headache and redness of eyes. In appropriate sitting position, working on the computer without a break for more than 20 minutes and wearing eye glasses were independently associated with CVS.

Prevalence and associated factors of presbyopia among school teachers in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016.

INTRODUCTION: Presbyopia is an age-related decline in accommodation that diminishes the ability of the eye to focus on near objects. This is due to reduced elasticity of the crystalline lens as age increases. It causes near-vision impairment and affects near work, so it has significant effects on quality of life, particularly in the life of teachers, whose work depends mostly on reading and writing at short distances. OBJECTIVE: The overall objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of presbyopia among school teachers in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design with multistage simple random sampling technique was used to select 668 teachers in Gondar city. The study was conducted in 12 schools from April 15 to May 15, 2016. A pretested structured questionnaire and ophthalmic instruments for an eye examination were used as data collection tools by trained optometrists. Epi Info version 7 was used for data entry, and the data were exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 for further analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was employed using enter method and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval, and p-value of ≤0.05 was considered to identify statistically significant associated factors of the outcome. RESULTS: Prevalence of presbyopia among school teachers was 68.7%. Out of the total examined subjects, 317 (50.2%) were females. On multivariate analysis, increased age, salary, work experience, cigarette smoking, pregnancy, and refractive error were positively and significantly associated with presbyopia. On the other hand, use of sunglasses and alcohol consumption were inversely and significantly associated with presbyopia. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The study had demonstrated a higher prevalence of presbyopia among school teachers. Further investigation is recommended to assess the effect of alcohol consumption on presbyopia.