Prevalence and Risk Factors of Refractive Errors Among Preparatory School Students in Beni-Suef, Egypt
AUTHOR:
Ahmed Emad El-Din Arafa, Ashraf Abd Elazim Ewis, Waleed Mohamed Mahran, Amel Abd Elazim Mohamed, and Ekram Mohamed El-Shabrawy
SPONSOR/INSTITUTION:
YEAR PUBLISHED:
2019
PUBLICATION:
Journal of Public Health
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this study was to detect the prevalence and risk factors of RE among preparatory school students in Beni-Suef, Egypt.
A total of 469 school students aged 12~14 years received visual acuity (VA) assessments using Snellen’s chart, and students who failed the test (visual acuity worse than 6/9 in either eye) were subjected to refractive evaluation using an autorefractor.
The overall prevalence of RE among the sampled students was 22.8% (71% myope and 29% hyperope). There was a statistically significant association between RE and family factors. Students whose parents both wore glasses were more likely to have RE (P < 0.001, OR = 3.24) and students with two or more siblings wearing glasses showed higher rates of RE (P < 0.001, OR = 4.5). Students with RE reported more hours/day watching TV (P < 0.001, OR = 3.59).
The prevalence of RE in preparatory school students in Beni-Suef was detected. Family history and indoor activities are determining risk factors for RE. Nearly half of our school students with RE were newly detected in this study.