Ocular morbidity among school-going children in the Union Territory of Chandigarh

Abstract

Schoolchildren in India are susceptible to various types of ocular morbidities. Early detection through regular surveys helps in prompt treatment and prevention of blindness. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ocular morbidity among schoolchildren aged 6-16 years and to determine their socio-demographic risk factors. This cross-sectional study includes government and private schools in Chandigarh. The study was conducted during August 2010 to December 2010. The World Health Organization 30-cluster sampling technique was used to cover an optimum sample size of 9,067 students in 30 schools from 169 schools in Chandigarh with proportional allocation in different classes. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 15.0. Qualitative data was analysed using the Chi squared test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors. Prevalence rates of refractive error, colour-blindness, squint, and vitamin A deficiency were found to be 29.3, 1.2, 0.8 and 0.05 %, respectively, with an overall prevalence of ocular morbidity of 30.4 %. The prevalence of ocular morbidity was significantly higher among female students and among those studying in private schools. The prevalence rate increased significantly with age. A high prevalence of treatable or preventable ocular morbidity was observed among school-going children, and refractive error was the most common problem.

Implications of inherited color vision deficiency on occupations: A neglected entity!

“…Let us assume that 5% of individuals with CVD aspire for jobs, such as police, army, or firefighting services, integrating the prevalence data of CVD[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 ] with the number of males <30 years in the country,[ 19 ] the estimated magnitude of the problem is huge—at least 1 million job aspirants could be potentially denied a job due to CVD. Therefore, this study highlights the need for screening for CVD and counseling at a younger age to avoid disappointments at a later age.…”

“…Congenital color vision deficiency (CVD) is common and affects ~ 5 to 6% of Indian males. [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 ] They are often diagnosed at the time of the pre-recruitment stage for a job[ 7 ] and they are not aware of their condition until then. [ 5 8 ] In some cases, they are diagnosed in an annual health screening, which makes it even worse than the pre-recruitment stage, as the individual’s livelihood is immediately at stake.…”