Risk factors of ocular morbidity among under-five years old children in Khartoum State- Sudan- 2020.

Background And Aims: Visual impairment in early childhood can significantly affect the development of visual, motor, and cognitive function and potentially lead to long-term 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 -value of less than .05 was regarded as significant.

Results: There was a significant association between participants with diabetes mellitus and poor vision (-value <.001). Two-thirds of participants (57%) with visual impairment had mothers, who reportedly attended antenatal care services regularly (-value .001), revealing a significant statistical association. Maternal diseases, specifically diabetes, was identified as a risk factor for poor visual acuity in their offspring (-value <.001). A significant relation was revealed between family history of eye disease and the degree of relationship to the affected participant (-value <.001). There was an association between watching TV and current visual acuity (-value <.001); as well as using mobile phones and current visual acuity (-value <.001). Multilinear analysis revealed the stronger influence of TV watching rather than the use of mobile phones (-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.