Title: Prevalence and causes of blindness in trachoma endemic area Ruangwa district of Tanzania
Abstract: Objective: To establish the prevalence and causes of blindness Design: Community based survey conducted in August 2006 Setting: Ruangwa district Subjects: One thousand one hundred and seventy three people of all age groups Results: Prevalence of blindness in Ruangwa is 3.5%. The prevalence of blindness increases with advancing age ranging from 1.1% among children 15 years and below to 15.6% among adults aged 60 years and above. Prevalence is higher (8.9%) among people who had never been to school compared to those who had attended primary school (1.5%). The leading causes of blindness are cataract (32.6%) and trachomatous corneal opacities (32.6%). Conclusion: The prevalence of blindness in Ruangwa district is a public health problem. The prevalence of blinding cataract and that of blinding trachoma are equal. Recommendation: Prevention of blindness efforts in Ruangwa district should focus equally on cataract and trachoma.
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Date: 2013-06-09
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 2
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