Determinants of Early Refractive Error on School-Going Children (10-12 Years) in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Refractive Error is a common health issues among young school-aged children in Bangladesh.
Present study focused on determinants of refractive error among school-going children (class II-V) and the
associated factors.
Method: Data were collected from 200 school-going children and their parents in a cross-sectional study
using purposive sampling from Cambrian School, Dhaka city. A semi-structured questionnaire was
administered to collect socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical information related to prevalence of
refractive error at this age of children.
Results: Study revealed that, among 200 participants, 54.5% children had refractive error and the younger
a child is, the more there was possibility of having this issue. A positive association was found between
meal intake, duration of using computer games or watching television and genetic factor (parents’ wearing
spectacles) with the occurrence of having this error in children (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Findings of this study revealed, unhealthy life-styles and physical inactivity at this age may
lead to refractive error among school aged children and early detection with medical advice as well as lifestyle modification might play a significant role not only in improving children’s learning ability but also in
reducing the incidence of refractive error in this age group in Bangladesh.