Clinical Ophthalmology (Oct 2020)

Near Vision Spectacle Coverage and Associated Factors Among Adults Living in Finote Selam Town, Northwest Ethiopia: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

  • Fekadu S,
  • Assem A,
  • Mengistu Y

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 3121 – 3130

Abstract

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Sofonias Fekadu,1 Abel Assem,1 Yitayeh Mengistu2 1Department of Optometry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Sofonias Fekadu Email [email protected]: Near visual impairment leads to difficulty with near tasks at a working distance (40 centimeters) when near visual acuity is 6/12 (N8) or worse. High cost is the main barrier reported for low near vision spectacle coverage.Objective: This study aimed to determine near vision spectacle coverage and associated factors among adults living in Finote Selam town, Northwest Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was applied from June 3 to 25, 2019. A total of 565 study participants aged ≥ 35 years were recruited using a systematic random sampling technique. A pre-tested questionnaire with adequate physical examination was used for data collection. The data were entered into EPI INFO software and exported to a statistical package for science for analysis. Mean (standard), frequencies, tables, and figures were used to present descriptive statistics. A bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between independent variables and outcome variable with a P-value of less than 0.20 and a P-value of less than 0.05, respectively. Odds ratios and a 95% confidence interval were used to show strength of association.Results: A total of 549 adults participated, with a response rate of 97.20% and a mean age of 46.4± 8.7 years. The near vision spectacle coverage was 156 (28.42%; 95% CI=24.65– 32.31). Higher education level (AOR=2.8; 95% CI=1.21– 5.21), history of eye examination (AOR=2.40; 95% CI=1.51– 3.81), awareness about near vision problems (AOR=2.12; 95% CI=1.41– 3.24), and need of a high plus lens (AOR=4.21; 95% CI=2.41– 7.39) were associated with near vision spectacle coverage.Conclusion: Near vision spectacle coverage was low among adults living in Finote Selam town. Higher educational level, history of eye examination, awareness about near vision problems, and need of a high plus lens were associated with near vision spectacle coverage.Keywords: near vision spectacle coverage, near visual impairment, Finote Selam, Ethiopia

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