Prevalence of cataract and its associated factors among adults aged 40 years and above in Waghimra zone, Amhara, Northeast Ethiopia: A Community based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Cataract is a major cause of avoidable blindness worldwide. Its greatest burden found in low-income countries. Therefore, knowing the prevalence and identification of risk-factors would be crucial in planning strategies to delay its development.Objective To assess prevalence and associated factors of cataract among adults aged 40 years and above in Waghimra Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2019.Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 528 adults in Waghimra Zone. Multi stage sampling technique was employed. Questionnaire, Snellen’s chart and slit lamp was used to collect the data. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1, cleaned and analyzed by using SPSS version 21.Result Within the sample, the prevalence of cataract was 20.1% (95% CI: 16.87, 23.32). being older age (AOR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.08), single (AOR = 6.2, 95% CI: 1.60, 23.9), divorced (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.10, 5.48), widowed (AOR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.07- 5.29) were associated with cataract.Conclusion Cataract is a major health problem in the study area that would increase with ageing Hence, concerned body should strengthen further screening and treating of patients who are targeted groups such as aged, single, widowed, divorced population.

Cataract and associated factors among adults visiting ophthalmic clinic at Debre Markos comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia, 2020

“…Participants with single marital status were 2.9 times (AOR = 9.583, 95% CI: (2.840, 32.342)) more likely to develop cataract than married individuals. Similar study was reported in Ethiopia, 26 Ghana, 15 Kenya, the Philippines and Bangladesh, in which individuals with single marital status were more likely to develop cataract than married individuals. This is because being married is a protective mechanism from developing cataract.…”

“…Participants in the age group of 70-79 years were 9.6 times more likely to develop cataract than those in the age group of 40-49 years (AOR = 9.583, 95% CI: (2.840, 32.342)). This was supported by studies conducted in Ethiopia, Waghimra Zone, 26 Nigeria 16 and India, 29 in which the probability of developing cataract for older individuals is more likely than younger individuals. All these studies taken individually and as a group demonstrate that cataract increases with age.…”

“…The prevalence of cataract in our study was also higher than the studies conducted in Ethiopia: Abeshge and Kebena district, South of Addis Ababa, 2.4%; 24 Merhabete, 11.4%; 25 and Waghimra zone, 20.1%. 26 This might be due to the difference in the study populations and the outcome variables. Study conducted in Merhabete was concerned on people with blindness and in Abeshge it was limited to cataract that resulted in blindness.…”