HEARING AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AMONG PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA

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.