Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Visual impairment refers to presenting distance visual acuity less than
6/12 in the better eye. It is a major public health problem with more than a billion
people affected around the world. There are diminutive community-based studies
among adults in our country as well as no studies in Nekemte town. Therefore,
updated data regarding the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment
helps to plan an appropriate strategy for its prevention and management.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment
among adults of Nekemte town, Western Ethiopia, 2022
Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 939 adults
selected by a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured
interviewer administered questionnaire and through ocular examination from May 15
-June 30, 2022. Data was entered using Epidemiological data version 3.1 and
analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 25. Binary and
multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with
visual impairment. Variables with a P-value of <0.05 were considered statistically
significant.
Result: A total of 939 participants were included in the study with a response rate of
95.4%. The prevalence of visual impairment was 9.7% (95%CI: 7.9-11.7). Age ?36
years (AOR=3.91:95%CI; 1.62-9.38), positive history of family eye problem
(AOR=5.45: 95%CI; 2.49-11.92), average monthly household income <3000
Ethiopian total birr (AOR=5.71:95%CI, 1.90-17.17), medically confirmed history of
hypertension (AOR=5.69 95%CI; 2.75-11.78) and medically confirmed history of
diabetes (AOR=6.40: 95%CI; 2.68-15.29) were positively associated with visual
impairment.
Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment was about one tenth. Visual
impairment was significantly associated with an old age, a positive family history of
eye problems, low average monthly household income, a medically confirmed history
of hypertension and diabetes.
Key-words: - Visual impairment, Adult, Nekemte, Ethiopia, Prevalence, Associated
factors
