Prevalence and Associated Child Characteristics Factors of Visual Impairments among Primary School Pupils in Bende and Umuahia North Local Government Area Nigeria

• Author(s): Grace Nwosu ; Evangeline Oparaocha ; Winnie Dozie ; Gregory Iwuoha
• Paper ID: 1707719
• Page: 277-283
• Published Date: 10-04-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 8 Issue 10 April-2025

Abstract

Visual impairments (VI) among school children have implications in all aspects of child’s development. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence, types and knowledge on visual impairments among primary school pupils in Bende and Umuahia North of Abia State Nigeria. The study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study investigating visual impairment in primary school pupils from selected schools in the study LGAs. A random sampling technique was used in selecting the schools and the pupils addition, Descriptive analysis was performed using distribution tables and charts, Chi square test was used to test to association between variables in the data. the results show that 4.3% of the pupils had visual impairments (VI), of which 64.8% were boys, but no evidence of association between VI and gender was established in this study. Refractive errors were the leading cause of VI (63%) screened of VI. Significant association was found between age and VI at 5% level (p=0.030, ?2=8.947) and the 6-10 years old were the most affected age group at 6.6%. Also, significant association was found between the primary level of the children and the occurrence of VI (?2 = 8.335; p = 0.015). In conclusion, VI is still a challenge among primary school pupils and there is need to enforce policies on constant screening for VI in primary schools to encourage early detection and treatment.

Keywords

Visual Impairments, Prevalence Child Characteristics, Pupils

Citations

IRE Journals:
Grace Nwosu , Evangeline Oparaocha , Winnie Dozie , Gregory Iwuoha "Prevalence and Associated Child Characteristics Factors of Visual Impairments among Primary School Pupils in Bende and Umuahia North Local Government Area Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 8 Issue 10 2025 Page 277-283

IEEE:
Grace Nwosu , Evangeline Oparaocha , Winnie Dozie , Gregory Iwuoha "Prevalence and Associated Child Characteristics Factors of Visual Impairments among Primary School Pupils in Bende and Umuahia North Local Government Area Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 8(10)