Frequency and determinants of ocular trauma in the Kimpese Rural Health Zone, Kongo Central, Democratic Republic of Congo

ABSTRACT

Context and objective. Ocular trauma is very common and its etiological factors vary by region and age group. This study aims to describe the magnitude and determinants of ocular trauma complications in rural areas. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted for ocular trauma at Kimpese Hospital between January 2014 and December 2016. Univariate logistic regression was used to assess the determinants of ocular trauma complications. The statistical significance level is p˂ 0.05. Results. A total of 223 patients were included. The majority of participants were men (69.5%), over 18 years of age (70%), with poor visual acuity (57.8%) and bilateral ocular involvement (51.1%). Plant objects (44.8%) and metal objects (15.2%) were the most common traumatic agents. After treatment, an improvement in visual acuity was observed in 64.3% of patients with previously poor visual acuity (p < 0.001). The delay of care > 7 days [aOR 2.286 (95% CI 1.302-4.012), p=0.004] and the poor visual acuity on admission [aOR 5.906 (95% CI 3.231-10.796), p< 0.0001] emerged as determinants of the onset of complications. Conclusion. Awareness-raising efforts for early consultation after ocular trauma and integration of eye care at the primary level should be promoted for efficiency in care