A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AMONG THE FISHERMEN OF NORTH CHENNAI

Gopal Muthukrishnan; Christa Kingston; Suresh Balan Kumarasamy Pillai Uma

Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2018

A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AMONG THE FISHERMEN OF NORTH CHENNAI

Gopal Muthukrishnan, Christa Kingston, Suresh Balan Kumarasamy Pillai Uma

Abstract :

Introduction:The fishermen communities are a marginalised group involved in a hazardous occupation susceptible to visual impairment due to the excess ultraviolet radiation from both direct and reflected sunlight. The study aims to estimate the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated risk factors in fishermen.

Materials and methods: Community–based, cross sectional study was conducted among 519 fishermen of North Chennai, exclusively involved in offshore fishing. A pretested questionnaire and Snellen chart was used to obtain response. The data was entered in MS excel. The prevalence of visual impairment with 95% CI and Chi square test for association was calculated.

Results: The mean(SD) age was 44 (10) years. Seventy nine percent belong to poor socioeconomic status. The prevalence of visual impairment was 20.8% (95%CI, 20–21.6%). The participants age, illiteracy, mechanised boat, duration of sunlight exposure, normal BMI showed significant association with visual impairment (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment in fishermen of North Chennai was relatively high. There is a need for period eye screening and Behaviour change communication.