PREVALENCE OF CHILDHOOD BLINDNESS AND SEVERE VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN A RURAL COMMUNITY IN EDO STATE: THE KEY INFORMANT METHOD

Abstract

Aim: To describe the prevalence of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment in a rural 
community in Edo State using the key informant method.
Methods: This was a descriptive, population-based, cross-sectional study carried out in IkpobaOkha Local Government Area in Edo State. Fifty (50) trained key informants identified and 
referred children for further ocular examination, dilated fundoscopy where necessary and 
refraction after obtaining informed consent from the parents and the Local government 
authorities. Data obtained was recorded on the WHO/PBL eye examination record for children 
with blindness and low vision form and analyzed using SSPSS version 21.
Results: A total of 96 children were identified and referred by the key informants, but 84 
children came to the examination centres on the scheduled days. Therefore, 87.5% of the 
identified children reported for examination. The prevalence of blindness/severe visual 
impairment was 0.15/1000 (95% CI: 0.11-0.19/1000). The prevalence of blindness was 
0.10/1000(95% CI: 0.08-0.16/1000) and prevalence of severe visual impairment was 
0.05/1000(95% CI: 0, 04-0.07/1000). The number of children that reported for examination was 
84 and the number of children with blindness/severe visual impairment were 20, which brings 
the positive predictive value to 23.8%. Majority (90%) of the causes of blindness and severe 
visual impairment were avoidable (either preventable or treatable). The preventable causes 
accounted for 20.0% while the treatable causes were 70.0%. Cortical blindness from 
hydrocephalous was responsible in 10.0% of cases and this is unavoidable.
Conclusion: Majority of children from this study were therefore blind or severely visually 
impaired needlessly. Avoiding these needless blinding cases would require early case finding 
and timely intervention and follow-up