IJAR - Indian Journal of Applied Research

ESENWAH; E.C.; AMADI; A.N.; NWOKE B.E.B.; AZUAMAH; Y.C.; DANIEL–NWOSU E.M.; IKORO N.C.; AKPALABA R. E.

Volume : VII, Issue : VII, July - 2017

SOCIO–ECONOMIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OCULAR PROBLEMS AMONG AUTO–MECHANICS IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Esenwah, E. C. , Amadi, A. N. , Nwoke B. E. B. , Azuamah, Y. C. , Daniel Nwosu E. M. , Ikoro N. C. , Akpalaba R. E.

Abstract :

This study was carried out to determine the socio–economic factors affecting auto–mechanics and how they relate to the ocular problems seen among them in Southeast Nigeria. Six hundred subjects all of whom were males were used for this study. The ages ranged from 11years to 66years, with a mean age of 36.08 ± 11.4. Results showed that 39.8% of the auto–mechanics had primary education, 43% had secondary/vocational education while 17.2% were unable to complete either their primary or secondary/vocational education. 16.7% of the subjects made a profit of less than N1000 per week while none of the subjects made profit higher than N3000. The major ocular problems seen among the subjects were conjunctivitis (27.67%), foreign bodies (11.5%) and pterygium (7.0%). We concluded that there is high level of risk of ocular problems facing the auto–mechanics which is related to their unfavorable socio–economic condition that increase their susceptibility to diseases.