Prevalence Of Refractive Errors In School Going Children In Rural And Urban Areas -A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Introduction: Visual impairment affects students’ routine schoolwork and day-to-day activities. Hence, the aim is to study the prevalence of various refractive errors and their comparison among school children of 5-15 years in rural and urban areas.
Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 998 students from both rural and urban schools. After obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent, students were examined for refractive errors. The students with the refractive error were given a socio-demographic questionnaire and questionnaire regarding their usage of television, computer, and family history of refractive errors. A Chi-square test was used to test the statistical significance of proportions. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and data were analyzed by using coGuide software, V.1.03
Results: The prevalence of refractive error was found to be 6.41 %, with a prevalence of 7.61% in urban and 5.21% in rural areas. The difference in the type of refractive error between the study groups was found to be insignificant, with P= 0.897.
Conclusion: Prevalence of refractive errors was more in urban school children than rural. Refractive error was more prevalent in 13-15 years age group in both rural and urban school children. The most common refractive error was myopia, followed by astigmatism and hypermetropia.
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