Childhood blindness and visual impairment in an underserved population in South West Nigeria: A clinic-based study

Background: Knowledge of the causes of poor vision among children will contribute to interventions and policies to prevent childhood blindness and visual impairment.Methods: This was a 3-year descriptive study of consecutive cases presenting to the secondary eye clinic at State Specialist Hospital in Osogbo, Nigeria. Sociodemographic characteristics were documented, and full clinical eye examinations were done. Descriptive analyses were carried out.Results: Among 214 children examined, 59.3% were male and the mean age was 9.3 ± 3.5 years. The predominant age group was 0 to 5 years (40.2%). Common causes of blindness and visual impairment were: refractive error (22.9%), corneal disease (21.5%), and cataract (19.6%). Refractive error was significantly more common among participants between 11 and 16 years of age (P < 0.001). All cases of retinoblastoma occurred among participants 0 to 5 years old (P < 0.001). Blindness most commonly resulted from corneal opacities (31.1%), severe visual impairment most commonly resulted from cataracts (35.4%), and moderate visual impairment was most often the result of refractive error (47.8%). According to the World Health Organization classification of visual impairment, 74 participants (34.6%) were blind, 48 (22.4%) had severe visual impairment, and 92 (42.9%) had moderate visual impairment.Conclusions: The causes of blindness and visual impairment are mainly avoidable. Provision of adequate manpower, necessary equipment in the hospitals for subsidised refractive and cataract surgical services, and uptake of these services are required towards prevention.Keywords: childhood blindness; visual impairment; eye healthcare facilities; advocacy; Nigeri

Non-Surgical Management of Congenital Eversion of the Eyelids

Purpose: To report the effectiveness of non-invasive management of congenital eversion of the eyelids, a rare condition associated with serious socio-psychological consequences. Case Report: Three neonates with congenital eversion of the eyelids and secondary conjunctival chemosis and prolapse were managed with 5% hypertonic normal saline, lubricants, antibiotics, and padding. Complete eye opening was achieved by the 10th day of presentation and the condition resolved. Conclusion: Non-invasive management of congenital eyelid eversion was found to be effective with no need for surgical management. All health care workers should be informed that this condition is amenable to conservative treatment if started early, so that prompt referral for expert management can be offered

Perceptions and Use of Antimicrobials Among Staff of a University Community in Southwestern Nigeria

Public attitude and knowledge of antibiotics are determinants of rational use of antibiotics and prevention of antimicrobial drug resistance. This study assessed perception and use of antimicrobials among staff members of a University in Southwestern Nigeria. Descriptive cross-sectional study among 450 staff members of Osun State University in Southwestern Nigeria using multistage sampling method was carried out. Semi-structured self-administered and pre-tested questionnaires were used in data collection. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software Version 17.0. Binary logistic regression models for the outcome variable of composite knowledge and attitude scores toward antimicrobials and their possible predictors were done and level of significance was set at p values ≤ .05 and confidence interval of 95% for all inferential analyses. Mean age of respondents was 26.8 (±11.1) years, and 331 (73.6%) had up to tertiary-level education. One hundred eighty-three (40.7%) and 267 (59.3%) had good and poor knowledge scores, respectively; 175 (38.9%) had positive attitude whereas 275 (61.1%) had negative attitude toward the use of antibiotics. About 279 (62.0%) were informed about judicious use of antibiotics, 398 (88.4%) had ever used antibiotics in the past 1 year with the Ampicillin and Cloxacillin combinations being the most commonly used. Eighty-eight (22.1%) used antibiotics for more than 10 days as at the last use. Predictors for having good knowledge and attitude include age, educational status, and ever having used antibiotics. Inadequate knowledge and attitude toward antibiotics were observed, and this necessitates sustained health education campaign to stakeholders on rational use of antibiotics, especially toward prevention of antimicrobial resistance