Awareness and use of modern contraceptives among physically challenged in-school adolescents in Osun State, Nigeria

This study assessed awareness and use of modern contraceptives among physically challenged in-school adolescents in Osun State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 215 adolescents in the special schools in the state. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was administered by trained interviewers. Data analysis was done using SPSS 17 and statistical level of significance was set at p< 0.05. The mean age of the respondents was 15.5years and more than half of them (56%) were males. Only about two fifths of them (38%) had ever heard about modern contraceptives. More males, older adolescents and visually impaired respondents had significantly heard about modern contraceptives compared with females, younger ones and those with other challenges at p-values of 0.026, 0.001 and 0.003 respectively. Only 34% of sexually experienced respondents had used a modern contraceptive method. The male condom was the most commonly used method. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 87-96)

Utilisation of public eye care services by the rural community residents in the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: Visual impairment and blindness are major health problems worldwide; especially in the rural and remote areas of developing countries. Utilisation of eye care services is essential to reduce the burden of visual impairment and blindness; and it is therefore important that it is monitored. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the level of utilisation of publiceye care services and factors that might have influenced their usage in rural communities; Capricorn district; Limpopo Province; South Africa. Method: A population-based cross-sectional study design was used. Participants were residents in selected rural villages located within approximately 5 km of six Government hospitals. Following ethical approval and receipt of informed consent; a questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions was used to collect information on the utilisation of eye care services and factors that might influence utilisation. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's Chisquare test were used to analyse and compare the data. Results: Many (62.7) of the respondents had used the government eye care services in the past. Over fifty-nine per cent (59.3) of them were satisfied with the services. Factors reported to influence utilisation (such as monthly income; knowledge of available services and the need for regular eye tests) were positively associated with utilisation of eye care services in this study (p 0.05). Conclusion: Utilisation of eye care services was relatively good; but varied significantly between sites. An awareness campaign by government and non-governmental organisations about eye care services may increase utilisation amongst rural communities

Low vision AIDS provision for visually impaired Egyptian patients - a clinical outcome

Purpose: To evaluate a low vision rehabilitation service implemented for heterogeneously diverse group of Egyptian patients with vision loss in terms of improving their visual performance and fulfilling their visual needs. Methods: Fifty patients with low vision were included in a prospective study. History taking; ophthalmic examination and evaluation of the visual functions were performed for all patients. The required magnification was calculated; and subsequently a low vision aid was chosen after counseling with patients. Low vision aids were tried in office; followedby a period of training before patients received their own low vision aids. Follow up was done for 6 months. Results: All patients who were referred to the low vision unit were not satisfied with their current spectacles or low vision aids. After training and prescription of suitable LVAs; the improvement in distance and near visual acuity wasstatistically significant (p0.001). Fifty-six per cent of the patients (nof the patients (n=27) could discern N8 print size or better. The most commonly used aids were high powered near adds. Despite the complaints about the appearance and use of LVAs; 76of the patients reported being moderately to highly-satisfied with their aids. Conclusions: The significant improvement in the visual performance of patients with low vision after the prescriptionand training on the use of LVAs; associated with patients' satisfaction; confirms the importance of expanding low vision rehabilitative services and increasing the public awareness of its existence and benefits

Causes of Low Vision in Sudan: a Study among the Attendees of Blind Centres in Khartoum

Aims: This study primarily aimed to provide demographic information about the low vision in the blind center at Khartoum state. The objectives were to indicate the main causes of low vision and to show the effect of these causes on the visual functions and mobility among a sample group. Methods: Clinical investigations were performed for visually impaired sample (171 subjects) from Sudan National Association of the Blind and Elnur Institute. Functional tests included; visual acuity (log MAR); contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson); colour vision (colour vision test made easy); confrontation and Amsler tests; structural inspection of anterior eye and interior eye; refraction; assessment of low vision devices; and observation of mobility. Results: The results revealed that 39.7of subjects in blind centers had low vision which can be improved with proper low vision aids. Significant deficiencies were found for all visual functions. The trend of causes is similar to that found in most developing countries. Statistically all causes had similar effect on visual functions. Mobility had provided good indictor differentiating functional vision from a non-useful residual vision in the blinds. Conclusions: There is a great need for the ophthalmologists and optometrists to be aware about the causes; functional effects of low vision in the population; and the possibility of improving vision with the help of low vision devices to a satisfactory level

Profile of Amblyopia at the Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic of Menilik II Hospital; Addis Ababa

Background- Amblyopia is one of the common causes of childhood and adult visual impairment. Its prevalence is usually underestimated; often because of lack of awareness. Objective: To assess the magnitude and clinical profile of amblyopia among children presenting at the pediatric ophthalmology clinic of Menillik II Hospital in Addis Ababa. Methods: The study was hospital-based and cross-sectional by design; and data were collected during the period of January to June 2007. Visual acuity; refractive status and fixation patterns were assessed and included in the examinations of clinical profiles of children with amblyopia presenting to a Pediatric Ophthalmology clinic in Menilik II Hospital. Results: Out of a total of 2;020 children examined during the study period; 183 (9.1) were amblyopic. Among these 91 (49.7) were males and 92 (50.3) were females. The mean age at presentation was 6.9+3.0 years. Strabismic amblyopia was the most common subtype seen in 39.3(n=72) of children. Fifty (27.3) children had combined amblyopia. One hundred thirteen (61.7) of the amblyopic children had hypermetropic refractive error and 22 (12.0) had myopia. Conclusion: Lack of community or preschool vision screening was the main cause to pick up amblyopic children for timely management of late presentations and significant visual impairment associated with the condition

Retractive erros in school children in Onithsa; Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the incidence and pattern of ametropia among school children.Materials and Methods: Consecutive shcool children presenting at the Guinness Eye Center Onitsha between September 2001 and August 2002 with visual acuity of 6/9 or worse in at least one eye; complaints of visual blurring; eye strain; brow ache and or discomfort while reading were recruited into the study. Cycloplegic refraction on each child was performed using 0.5tropicamide eye-drops. Post-cycloplegic tests were performed within 72 hours.Results: Of the 306 children (M:F - 1:2) examined; 301 (98.4) had ametropia. Spherical errors were namely; hyperopia 23 (7.5); myopia 47 (15.4). Astigmatism occurred in 231 (75.5) namely hyperopic astigmatism 72 (31.2); myopic astigmatism 159 (68.8). Anisometropia was present in 80 (26.1) children; 16 of whom did not improve with refraction. Generally older children (12 - 17 years) were more likely to have refractive errors than younger children (95CI: 0.07; 0.31; p 0.005). But there was no difference in the incidence of myopia between younger children (aged 6 - 11 years) and older children (95CI: -0.08; 0.43; p 0.05). While 41 (13.4) had visual impairment in the better eye; 8 (2.6) other children had uniocular blindness at presentation.Conclusions: There is a high incidence of uncorrected refractive errors among school children; although many were of small degrees. The cooperation of parents and teachers is vital in identifying and treating this modifiable cause of poor academic performance and learning difficulties