Prevalence and Causes of Ocular Morbidity in Mbeere District, Kenya. Results of a Population-Based Survey

Abstract

PurposeOcular morbidity (OM) describes any eye disease regardless of resultant visual loss. Ocular morbidity may affect large numbers of people in low income countries and could lead to many episodes of care. However there is limited evidence about the prevalence of ocular morbidity or resulting health-seeking behavior. This study in Mbeere District, Kenya, set out to explore both these issues.MethodsA cross-sectional household survey was conducted in 2011. Trained teams moved from house to house examining and questioning residents on ocular morbidity and health-seeking behavior. Data were collected on standardized proformas and entered into a database for analysis.Results3,691 people were examined (response rate 91.7%). 15.52% (95% CI 13.86–16.92) had at least one ocular morbidity in at least one eye. The leading cause was presbyopia which affected 25.11% (95% CI 22.05–28.45) of participants over 35 and increased with age. Other leading causes of OM were conditions that affected the lens (32.58%) and the conjunctiva (31.31%). No association was found between educational attainment or employment and OM. 9.63% (7.87–11.74) self-reported an ocular morbidity in the previous six months and 45.94% (95% CI 37.1–55.04) stated that they had sought treatment for the condition.ConclusionA large number of people were affected by an ocular morbidity in this survey. Most of these people could potentially be managed in their own communities through primary care services (e.g. those with presbyopia). Further work is required to understand the best way of providing an effective, equitable service for ocular morbidity.

The Pattern of Ocular Morbidity in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India-A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study

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Prevalence and determinants of self-reported ocular morbidity and utilization of eye services in Sri Lanka: results from a national population-based survey

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“…Ocular morbidity is defined as the presence of any eye condition, which is perceived as important or significant from either a clinician or a client perspective [1]. Therefore, ocular morbidity encompasses all conditions that lead to vision impairment or blindness (e.g.…”

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