Trichiasis Surgical Coverage in Three Local Government Areas of Sokoto state; Nigeria

Background: Community-based lid surgery for trachomatous trichiasis (TT) is provided in 8 local government areas (LGAs) of Sokoto state since 2003 as part of a trachoma control programme. This study aims to assess the impact of community-based lid surgery on the magnitude of TT in 3 LGAs of Sokoto state. Materials and Methods: A population-based survey was conducted in persons aged 15 years and above. A stratified multistage cluster sampling with probability proportional to size was used. Trachoma was assessed using the WHO simplified grading system. Results: Despite high (13) refusals; 72of the minimum sample size was examined. The prevalence of blindness ranged from 1.3to 2.5in the LGAs while the prevalence of TT in persons aged 15 years and above was 2in the Silame; 2.7in the Wamakko and 5.6in the Kware LGAs; respectively. The prevalence of TT in females 15 years and above was 1.1in the Silame; 4in the Wamakko and 6.3in the Kware LGAs; respectively. The trichiasis surgical coverage is 9.5in the Kware and 12.5in the other LGAs respectively. The minimum number of TT lid surgery required to achieve the elimination level is 873 in the Silame LGA; 2611 in the Wamakko LGA and 4672 in the Kware LGA. Conclusion: The burden of TT is high in the study communities while the trichiasis surgical coverage is low. There is a need to strengthen the control programme to meet up with existing need

Prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in sokoto state, nigeria: baseline data for vision 2020: the right to sight eye care programme

To estimate the prevalence of low vision and blindness, identify the causes, and suggest policies for an effective eye care program based on 2005 data from Sokoto State, Nigeria. A stratified two-stage cluster sampling method was used to quantify the prevalence of blindness and the causes from 4 health zones in Sokoto State. Subjects were evaluated using a magnifying loupe, direct ophthalmoscope and torchlight. Data were collected based on the World Health Organization prevention of blindness coding for an eye examination. Prevalences with 95% confidence intervals [CI] were calculated and surgical coverage for causes of blindness was also analyzed. The response rate was 91%. The prevalence of bilateral blindness was 1.9% [95% CI: 1.5-2.3%] ranging from 1.6% to 2.0% across the four health zones. The prevalence was 2.1% [95% CI 1.6-2.6%] in males and 1.6% [95% CI: 1.1-2.1%] in females. The leading cause of bilateral blindness was cataract [51.6%], followed by uncorrected aphakia [20.9%] and glaucoma [11%]. The prevalence of bilateral operable cataract was 1.9% [95% CL 1.5-2.3%]. The cataract surgical coverage [individuals with visual acuity <6/60] for the study was lower than the couching coverage [4.4% vs. 14.9%, respectively]. Surgical coverage for trichiasis was 4.4%. The major barrier to cataract and glaucoma management was cost. The prevalence of blindness in Sokoto State is high yet the main causes are largely avoidable. Barriers can be reduced by appropriate health education regarding the eye care program and the provision of integrated, sustainable, affordable and equitable services

Tracing children with blindness and visual impairment using the key informant survey in a district of north-western Nigeria

To identify children with irreversible blindness in a district of northern Nigeria for enrolment into an inclusive education pilot project. Using key informants [KIs] working and residing within the communities, children with blindness and visual impairment in Gwadabawa local government area [LGA] were identified and then examined by a team of ophthalmologists/optometrists. Data analysis was performed manually using simple percentages and proportions. Sixty children were reported with visual problems by parents/guardians of whom 58 [97%] were examined. Twenty children [35%] were blind, 17 [29%] were irreversibly blind, and 9 [16%] had low vision [<6/18 to 3/60] with presenting vision. The major causes of childhood blindness were corneal opacity/phthisis bulbi [75%], and cataract [15%]. The cause of irreversible blindness in these children was largely preventable [80%] as it was due to childhood-related illnesses, such as vitamin A deficiency and measles. The major causes of childhood blindness in the study area were avoidable and the use of KI survey in this study provided an opportunity for service delivery