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 P‐value of less than .05 was regarded as significant. RESULTS: There was a significant association between participants with diabetes mellitus and poor vision (P‐value <.001). Two‐thirds of participants (57%) with visual impairment had mothers, who reportedly attended antenatal care services regularly (P‐value .001), revealing a significant statistical association. Maternal diseases, specifically diabetes, was identified as a risk factor for poor visual acuity in their offspring (P‐value <.001). A significant relation was revealed between family history of eye disease and the degree of relationship to the affected participant (P‐value <.001). There was an association between watching TV and current visual acuity (P‐value <.001); as well as using mobile phones and current visual acuity (P‐value <.001). Multilinear analysis revealed the stronger influence of TV watching rather than the use of mobile phones (P‐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.