Tracing children with blindness and visual impairment using the key informant survey in a district of north-Western Nigeria.

PURPOSE

To identify children with irreversible blindness in a district of northern Nigeria for enrolment into an inclusive education pilot project.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using key informants (KIs) working and residing within the communities, children with blindness and visual impairment in Gwadabawa local government area (LGA) were identified and then examined by a team of ophthalmologists/optometrists. Data analysis was performed manually using simple percentages and proportions.

RESULTS

Sixty children were reported with visual problems by parents/guardians of whom 58 (97%) were examined. Twenty children (35%) were blind, 17 (29%) were irreversibly blind, and 9 (16%) had low vision (<6/18 to 3/60) with presenting vision. The major causes of childhood blindness were corneal opacity/phthisis bulbi (75%), and cataract (15%). The cause of irreversible blindness in these children was largely preventable (80%) as it was due to childhood-related illnesses, such as vitamin A deficiency and measles.

CONCLUSIONS

The major causes of childhood blindness in the study area were avoidable and the use of KI survey in this study provided an opportunity for service delivery.