Abstract: Myopia is a global public health problem leading to visual impairment and blinding complications. It is the most common type of refractive error and is a complex trait including both genetic and environmental factors. Numerous studies have been conducted to elucidate the aetiology of myopia. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of childhood stress on the occurrence of myopia among senior high school students in Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of Ghana. The study was a cross-sectional study of students attending senior high schools in the Municipality. Students were selected by systematic and simple random sampling methods. Questionnaires were administered to all students and non-cycloplegic refraction was carried out for all students who failed the plus one blur test or with improvement of vision with a pin hole on the Snellen chat. Myopia for purposes of this study was defined by the investigators as spherical error of at least –0.50 diopters in one eye. The prevalence of myopia among the student was 34%. Childhood stress was associated with the occurrence of myopia. The study showed students who experience significant childhood stress are 3 times more likely to develop myopia compared to children who do not experience significant childhood stress. This study concludes that myopia is a significant cause of visual impairment among senior high school students in the Sekyere East District of Ghana, and is therefore an issue of public health concern among senior high school students in the district. Counseling services should be strengthened from basic education through to senior high school. Children during the teenage years have many challenges and feel the effects of stress. Times of special changes like divorce, a death in the family, or a move can be stressful. Effective counseling in schools is needed to support parents and guardians to adjust students to stress.
Keywords: Myopia, childhood stress, senior high schools, public health, parents and guardians.
Title: ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK OF CHILDHOOD STRESS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MYOPIA AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GHANA
Author: DR. OSEI BOAITEY
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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