Symptomatic Dry Eye Disease and Associated Factors Among Adult Diabetic Patients in Adare General Hospital, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia, 2023.

Introduction: Symptomatic dry eye disease is a multifactorial ocular surface condition caused by disruption of the precorneal tear film and is a common clinical finding in diabetic patients. However, there was no study on the prevalence and associated factors of symptomatic dry eye disease among diabetic patients in Ethiopia or in the study area. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of symptomatic dry eye disease among adult diabetic patients in Adare General Hospital, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia, in 2023. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 493 adult diabetic patients who were selected using systematic random sampling, from April 23 to June 8, 2023. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview using an ocular surface disease index questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors potentially associated with symptomatic dry eye disease. Variable with a P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 488 subjects participated in this study with a response rate of 99%. The prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease was 34.8% (95% CI = 30.6-39.1). College and university educational status (AOR = 5.88, 95% CI = 2.25-15.38), government employed (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.05-4.68), use of visual display unit >5 hours (AOR = 4.41, 95% CI = 1.51-12.87), duration of diabetes ≥11 years (AOR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.28-9.90), poor glycemic control (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.21-3.75), allergic conjunctivitis (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.12-3.54), and debris in the tear film (AOR = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.53-8.61) were positively associated with symptomatic dry eye disease. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease. Higher educational status, government employed, use of visual display unit, longer duration of diabetes, poor glycemic control, allergic conjunctivitis, and tear film debris were significantly associated with symptomatic dry eye disease. Breaks in screen use, good glycemic control, and treatment of ocular morbidities such as allergic conjunctivitis and debris in the tear film were recommended for all diabetic patients.

Trachoma prevention practice and associated factors among mothers having children aged under nine years in Andabet district, northwest Ethiopia, 2022: A multi-level analysis.

BACKGROUND: The world health organization (WHO) adopted the Surgery, Antibiotic, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement (SAFE) strategy for the prevention of trachoma, and different prevention strategies have been employed in Andabet district. Trachoma still has a high prevalence despite these efforts. So, it is imperative to assess ground trachoma prevention practice (TPP) since there are insufficient studies in the study area. OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude and factors associated with TPP among mothers having children aged under nine years in Andabet district, Northwest Ethiopia. METHOD: A community-based cross-sectional study involving 624 participants was conducted June 1-30, 2022. Systematic random sampling was carried out to select study participants. Multi-level binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with poor TPP. Descriptive and summary statistics were performed and variables with p-value < 0.05 in the best-fitted model were declared to be significantly associated with poor TPP. RESULTS: In this study, the proportion of poor TPP was found to be 50.16% (95%CI = 46.23, 54.08). In the multi-variable multi-level logistic regression; having no formal education (AOR = 2.95; 95%CI: 1.41,6.15) and primary education (AOR = 2.33; 95%CI:1.04, 5.24), being a farmer (AOR = 3.02; 95%CI:1.73,5.28), and merchant (AOR = 2.63; 95%CI:1.20, 5.75), time taken to water point >30 minutes (AOR = 4.60,95CI:1.30,16.26) and didn't receive health education about trachoma (AOR = 2.36;95CI:1.16,4.79) were significantly associated with poor TPP. CONCLUSION: The proportion of poor TPP was high relative to other studies. Level of education, occupation, time taken to the water point, and health education were significantly associated with poor TPP. Therefore, taking special attention to these high-risk groups could decrease the poor TPP.

Vision-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among an Adult Population with Glaucoma Attending a Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Glaucoma is a group of ocular conditions that leads to irreversible blindness. It can affect the vision-related quality of life in many ways. In Ethiopia, limited information is available on how and to what extent the vision-related quality of life of the glaucoma population has been affected. Objective: This study attempted to assess the vision-related quality of life and associated factors among an adult population with glaucoma attending Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted on the adult population with glaucoma attending Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Systematic random sampling was employed to select 319 study participants. Descriptive and summary statistics were calculated. Simple and multiple linear regressions were performed to determine factors associated with vision-related quality of life. A p-value of <0.05 in multivariable regression was considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Results: The mean glaucoma quality of life-15 score in this study was 47.85 ± 15.41. Below primary education, primary education, visual acuity of the better eye, visual acuity of the worse eye, and severe glaucoma were significantly associated with the glaucoma quality of life-15 score. Conclusion and Recommendation: The study observed poorer vision-related quality of life in the glaucoma population than previously reported in Ethiopia and around the globe. The vision-related quality of life was significantly associated with educational status, visual acuity of the better and worse eye, and stage of glaucoma in the better eye. Educating the glaucoma population on the nature of the disease, advice on early presentation, and better-coping strategies for the condition are warranted.

Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in Northwest Ethiopia-A cross sectional hospital based study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus on eye and it is the leading cause of visual impairment among productive segment of the population. Globally, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is reported to be 27%. In Ethiopia, sufficient data is lacking on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy as well as information on its predisposing factors. The study was required to assess the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its predisposing factors in diabetic patients attending at a General Hospital in Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution based cross sectional study was employed on 331 diabetic patients recruited with a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaire, tracing patients' medical folder and ocular health examination. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science Version 20. Logistic regression methods of analysis were used to figure out predisposing factors of diabetic retinopathy. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to determine the strength of association. RESULT: A total of 331 diabetic patients completed the study with a response rate of 99.10%. The median duration of diabetes was 5 years. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 34.1% (95%Confidence Interval (CI): 28.7%-39.3%). Low family monthly income (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.43, 95% CI: 2.44-22.57), longer duration of diabetes (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.30-1.58), poor glycemic control (AOR = 4.76, 95%CI: 2.26-10.00), and being on insulin treatment alone (AOR = 3.85, 95%CI: 1.16-12.74) were independently associated with diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 34.1%, higher than national and global figures. Low family monthly income, longer duration of diabetes, poor glucose control and being on insulin treatment alone were important risk factors of diabetic retinopathy. Proper diabetes self management and early screening of diabetic retinopathy in all diabetic patients were recommended.

Awareness and knowledge of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients at a General Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic retinopathy is an evident complication of diabetes on eye and contributes for significant portion of blindness worldwide. In Ethiopia, data are lacking on awareness and knowledge of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients. This study desired to assess knowledge of diabetic retinopathy and it is relating factors among diabetic patients attending at a General Hospital in Ethiopia. METHODS: We have interviewed 306 diabetic patients who were attending at Debre Tabor General Hospital. Binary logistic regression model was used to recognize associated factors to good knowledge of diabetic retinopathy. Adjusted odds ratio was used to show the power of association. A p-value of less than 0.05 was set to determine its statistical significance. RESULT: The diabetic patients had a median age of 45 (range = 30) years. From the total diabetic patients, 242 (79.10%) knew that diabetes could affect the eye and 81 (26.50%) were aware of diabetic retinopathy. From those who were informed of diabetic retinopathy, 32 (39.50%) (95% confidence interval = 27.90-51.20) had good knowledge of diabetic retinopathy. High educational status (adjusted odds ratio = 4.08, 95% confidence interval = 1.00-16.50) and non-government employee (adjusted odds ratio = 0.19, 95% confidence interval = 0.05-0.70) were significantly associated with good knowledge of diabetic retinopathy. Physicians and eye doctors were the most frequent source of information for the awareness of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: From the total diabetic patients recruited in the study, 39.5% of them obtained information about diabetic retinopathy and the overall knowledge was poor among them. Knowledge of diabetes can affect the eye and it causes blindness was good among majority of the participants. Higher educational status and being a non-government employee were determined to be important predisposing factors of good knowledge. It is also better to involve diabetic educators and counselors in educating diabetic patients on the serious complication of diabetes on eye.

Prevalence of Occupational Ocular Injury and Associated Factors Among Small-Scale Industry Workers in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of occupational ocular injury and associated factors among small-scale industry workers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 542 manufacturing and construction workers in Gondar town from April 23 to May 4, 2019. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data using face-to-face interview. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with occupational ocular injury. RESULTS: A total of 542 small-scale industry workers participated with a 95.1% response rate. The prevalence of occupational ocular injury was 31.4% (95% CI, 27.2-35.5). Employment pattern (temporary workers) (AOR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.14-2.95), health and safety training (AOR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.06-4.66), non-use of eye safety device (AOR: 7.43, 95% CI: 4.44-12.43), and job category (woodwork (AOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.97)), and brickwork (AOR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.08-7.21) had statistically significant with occupational ocular injury. CONCLUSION: This study showed the prevalence of occupational ocular injury among small-scale industry workers was 31.4%. Iron chips are the most common agent responsible for the injury. Type of employment, having health and safety training, use of eye safety devices, and job category had a significant association with occupational ocular injury.

Vision-Related Quality of Life among Adult Patients with Visual Impairment at University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess vision-related quality of life and associated factors among adult patients with visual impairment at the University of Gondar Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: The institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 24 to May 12, 2017, at the University of Gondar Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center among 484 patients with visual impairment. Pretested, structured National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 was used to collect data by interviewing. Data were entered using EPI-INFO version 3.5.1 and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with vision-related quality of life. Variables with p value <0.05 in multivariable logistic regression were considered as statistically significant. RESULT: A total of 484 study subjects participated with a response rate of 98.9%. The median age of the participants was 60 years with the interquartile range of 25 years. The proportion of poor vision-related quality of life was 238 (49.2%) (95% CI: 44.2%-53.3%). Age >75 years (AOR = 1.87 (95% CI: 1.02-3.40)), rural residency (AOR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.13-2.60)), severe visual impairment/blindness (AOR = 2.76 (95% CI: 1.80-4.23)), and history of visual impairment longer than 3 years (AOR = 2.85 (95% CI: 1.61-5.04)) had statistically significant association with poor vision-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: Almost half of the patients with visual impairment had poor vision-related quality of life. Severe visual impairment/blindness, long duration of visual impairment, older age, and rural residency had a statistically significant association with poor vision-related quality of life.