Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of myopia among medical students at the University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Northwest Ethiopia. Patients and Methods Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences from June 20 to August 15, 2021. A simple random sampling technique with proportional allocation was used to select 492 students. Interviewer-administered questionnaire, Snellen acuity chart, pinhole, retinoscope and direct ophthalmoscope were used to collect the data. The data were entered to EpiData version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were summarized by measures of central tendency. Variables with p-value ≤0.2 in bivariable regression were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used and variables with p-values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results A total of 492 respondents participated giving a response rate of 98.3%. The prevalence of myopia was found to be 16.7% (95% CI = 12.8–19.4%). Urban residents (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.28–6.21), family history of myopia (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.33–4.54), near-work activity of 5–7 hours (AOR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.31–5.76) and ≥8 hours (AOR = 4.35; 95% CI: 1.96–9.66), outdoor activity for <3 hours (AOR = 1.65 95% CI: (1.14–4.53), were significantly associated with myopia. Conclusion The prevalence of myopia among medical students at the University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences was high. Urban residency, positive family history, longer time spent on near-work activities and less outdoor activity were positively associated with myopia.

Purpose To assess the proportion of adherence to topical anti-glaucoma medications and associated factors among glaucoma patients in Sidama regional state, Ethiopia. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 30 to July 15, 2022 at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized and Yirgalem General Hospitals in Sidama regional state, Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 410 study participants. An adapted eight-item self-reported questionnaire was used to assess adherence. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with adherence to topical anti-glaucoma medications. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 under multivariable analysis were taken as statistically significant factors for adherence. The strength of the association was measured by using an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Results A total of 410 participants were included giving a response rate of 98.3%. Those who were adherent to their medications were 221(53.9%) (95% CI: 48.8–58.5). Urban residence (AOR = 2.81: 95% CI = 1.34–5.87), higher educational level (AOR = 3.17: 95% CI = 1.24–8.09), monthly follow-up frequency (AOR = 3.30: 95% CI = 1.79–6.11) and normal vision (AOR = 6.58: 95% CI = 3.03–10.84) were significantly associated with adherence. Conclusion More than half of glaucoma patients attending at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized and Yirgalem general hospitals were adherent to their topical anti-glaucoma medications. Urban residence, educational level, follow-up frequency, and normal vision were associated with adherence.

The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of use of eye care service and associated factors among adult diabetic patients attending diabetic clinics in two referral hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample size of 546 at Dessie and Debre-Birhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals from July 06 to August 14/2020. Systematic random sampling with a sampling fraction of 2 was employed to select study participants at outpatient departments in diabetic clinics. A pre-tested structured questionnaire, checklist, and visual acuity chart were used to collect the data. The collected data were entered into EPI-data version 4.4 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Binary logistic regression was fitted to identify the possible factors associated with the outcome variable, and the strength of association was expressed using an adjusted odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval. Variables with p-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 531 adult patients with diabetes participated with a response rate of 97.3%. In this study, the proportion of use of eye care service within the past 1 year was 31.5% (95% CI: 27.5, 35.4). Age from 40 to 64 years (AOR=2.86, 95% CI; 1.43,5.70) and >65 years (AOR=3.15, 95% CI: 1.32,7.50), duration of diabetes 6-10 years (AOR=2.15, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.69) and >11 years (AOR=2.93, 95% CI: 1.51, 5.69), presence of visual symptoms (AOR=3.12, 95% CI: 1.56, 6.18), good attitude on the need of a regular eye checkup (AOR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.68, 4.94), and good knowledge about diabetic ocular complication (AOR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.33, 3.94) were positively associated with the use of eye care service. Conclusion:The proportion of use of eye care service among adult diabetic patients was low. The use of eye care service was significantly and independently associated with older age, longer duration of diabetes, presence of visual symptoms, good attitude on the need of a regular eye checkup, and good knowledge about diabetic ocular complication. We recommend that the patients with diabetes should be taught about diabetic ocular complications and the importance of regular eye check-ups by health professionals to increase utilization of eye care services by patients with diabetes.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to assess the proportion of visual impairment and associated factors among diabetic patients at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital (DBRH). METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out from April 27 to May 19, 2017. All adult diabetic patients attending DBRH during the study period were included in the study. A pretested, structured questionnaire and clinical examinations were used for data collection. The collected data were entered into Epi Info 7 and exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 for analysis. The descriptive analysis was summarized by frequency, percent, and summary statistics. Association between visual impairment and independent variables was determined via bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regressions. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the strength of association. Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit was used to check for model fitness. RESULTS: A total of 388 study subjects with a 92% response rate took part in the study. The prevalence of visual impairment was 29.38% (95% CI: 24.83%–33.93%). Age >56 years (AOR = 5.24, 95% CI: 1.37–20.04), physical inactivity (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.33–4.14), presence of visual symptoms (AOR = 4.48, 95% CI: 2.35–8.57), lower body mass index (AOR = 6.23, 95% CI: 1.87–20.68), and diabetic retinopathy (AOR = 5.12, 95% CI: 1.91–13.70) had a statistically significant association with visual impairment. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of diabetic patients had visual impairment. Independent variables older age, physical inactivity, presence of visual symptoms, lower body mass index, and diabetic retinopathy had a positive statistically significant association with visual impairment.