| dc.description.abstract | Hearing and visual impairment are disabling conditions limiting communication and
social connectivity. These can negatively affect school performance, cognitive and
emotional status of children. Few studies have been done to assess hearing and vision
among school children in Nigeria. This study was designed to determine the prevalence
of hearing and visual impairment among pupils in public primary schools in Ibadan North
Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State, Nigeria.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among public primary school pupils in Ibadan
North LGA. Using a three-stage sampling technique, 300 pupils aged 6-14 years were
selected from six out of 74 schools located in six of the 12 wards in the LGA. Data on
pupils’ socio-demographic characteristics were collected with interviewer administered
questionnaire. Screening audiometer was used for audiologic evaluation. Pure Tone
Audiometry (PTA) averages greater than 30 dB HL was classified as hearing impairment.
Snellen’s “E” chart was used to determine visual acuity. Visual acuity reading from 6/24
to 6/60 was classified as visual impairment. Descriptive statistics and Chi square test
were used for data analysis at p=0.05.
Mean age of participants was 9.7±2.1years and 53.0% were females. The mean PTA for
the right ear was 24.2±4.9 dB HL and 24.3±4.7 dB HL for the left ear. Overall prevalence
of hearing impairment was 14.0% [right ear (4.3%), left ear (4.0%) and both ears (5.7%)].
Prevalence of hearing impairment among pupils aged 6-8 years was 7.7% (right ear 2.0%,
left ear 2.7%, both ears 3.0% ); 9-11 years was 4.6% (right ear 1.3%, left ear 1.3%, both
ears 2.0% ) and 12-14 years was 1.7% (right ear 1.0%, left ear 0.0% both ears 0.7%).
Prevalence of hearing impairment in males (14.2%) and females (13.2%) were not
significantly different. Hearing impairment was significantly higher among children less
than 10 years (23.7%) compared to those aged 10 years and above (6.1%). Of the affected
pupils, 14.3% reported having difficulty in hearing and 5% had previous ear examination.
Prevalence of visual impairment was 6.4% (right eye 1.7%, left eye 0.0%, both eyes
4.7%). Prevalence of visual impairment among pupils aged 6-8 years was 3.0% (right eye
1.3%, left eye 0.0%, both eyes 1.7%); 9-11 years was 2.3% in both eyes and 12-14 years
was 1.0% in both eyes. Females (9.4%) had a higher prevalence of visual impairment
compared with males (2.8%). Prevalence of visual impairment did not vary significantly
for the different age groups; 8.9% for those less than 10 years and 4.2% for 10years and
above. Among those with visual impairment 38.9% reported difficulty seeing and 11.1%
had previous eye examination. Both hearing and visual impairments were present in 1.0%
of the pupils (females 0.7% and males 0.3%).
The burden of hearing and visual impairment was high among school children in Ibadan
North LGA. This highlights the need to emphasize routine screening services in public
schools as part of the school health programme in order to enhance early detection. | en_US |
