Self perceived visual health among women aged 18-59 years in a rural area of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh: a cross sectional study

Authors

  • Amit Singh Pawaiya Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences & Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Ieshitva Jain MBBS Student, School of Medical Sciences & Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Khushboo Juneja Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences & Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Mithila Dayanithi Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences & Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • S. Nagesh Professor & HOD, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences & Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20192595

Keywords:

Greater Noida, Self perceived, Visual health, Visual impairment, Women

Abstract

Background: Visual health is both visual function and individual’s perception of vision. This study was conducted to estimate visual function and individual’s perception of vision and to understand the impact of sociodemographic factors and treatment seeking behaviour for eye morbidities among women in our society. The aim of the study was to obtain visual acuity scores and the perceived visual function score and analyse both objective and subjective visual health.

Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 182 women aged 18-59 years residing in rural practice area of School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida.

Results: The most common problem in the study group was moderate visual impairment (23.1%), followed by severe visual impairment (8.2%) and blindness (1%). The common causes being uncorrected refractive errors followed by cataract. Visual impairment was maximum among 49-59 years (47.46%), illiterate (54.24%) and in lower socio-economic status (54.24%).

Conclusions: An intersectoral approach involving the PRI, ASHA/ANM at all levels of the health system may be appropriate. Strategies involving the communities, schools, colleges, workplaces and shifting to preventive and curative approach instead of only curative approach may help to create more awareness about common avoidable causes of blindness namely refractive errors and cataract. Comprehensive eye care services from early screening to treatment need to be made accessible, affordable and available at all levels of health system irrespective of gender, literacy, age and socioeconomic status to improve visual health and thus quality of life.

Author Biography

Amit Singh Pawaiya, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences & Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

Department of Community Medicine

Assistant Professor

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Published

2019-06-28

How to Cite

Pawaiya, A. S., Jain, I., Juneja, K., Dayanithi, M., & Nagesh, S. (2019). Self perceived visual health among women aged 18-59 years in a rural area of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh: a cross sectional study. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 6(7), 2788–2793. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20192595

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Section

Original Research Articles