Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND AIMS : Visual impairment in early childhood can significantly affect
the development of visual, motor, and cognitive function and potentially lead to longterm
adverse psychosocial consequences. This study aimed to identify the risk factors
of ocular morbidity among under 5-year old children in Khartoum State, Sudan.
METHODS : A cross-sectional study was conducted in three tertiary eye care hospitals
in Khartoum State, Sudan. The study included 391 children under the age of 5 years.
The parent(s) were interviewed using a precoded, pretested, closed-ended questionnaire
that included questions regarding socio-demographic profile and possible risk
factors. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version
21.0). A P-value of less than .05 was regarded as significant.
RESULTS : There was a significant association between participants with diabetes
mellitus and poor vision (P-value <.001). Two-thirds of participants (57%) with visual
impairment had mothers, who reportedly attended antenatal care services regularly
(P-value .001), revealing a significant statistical association. Maternal diseases, specifically
diabetes, was identified as a risk factor for poor visual acuity in their offspring
(P-value <.001). A significant relation was revealed between family history of eye disease
and the degree of relationship to the affected participant (P-value <.001). There
was an association between watching TV and current visual acuity (P-value <.001); as
well as using mobile phones and current visual acuity (P-value <.001). Multilinear
analysis revealed the stronger influence of TV watching rather than the use of mobile phones (P-value <.001).
CONCLUSIONS : Diabetes, diabetic mothers, a family history of ocular morbidity,
watching television, and using mobile phones emerged as significant risk factors of
ocular morbidity among children under the age of 5 years in this study. Many of
these risk factors are either modifiable or controllable ocular morbidities among
under-five children can be reduced with suitable interventions.
