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commerciallyThe magnitude and associated factors of ocular lesions/complications among leprosy patients treated at Boru Meda General Hospital, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study design, 2021
Affiliations- Boru Meda General Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia
- Gondar University, Institute of Public Health, Gondar, Ethiopia
- Wollo University, School of Public Health, Dessie, Ethiopia
- Amhara Regional Health Bureau, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is one of the world’s oldest diseases, and it is one of the major blinding diseases. Visual impairment in leprosy patients needs special consideration by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, not only preventable but also has a severe burden that affects productivity if not managed early. Nevertheless, little was understood about ocular complications and associated factors among leprosy patients in low income countries like Ethiopia, including the study locality.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 423 leprosy patients at the dermatology clinic at Boru Meda Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia. The collected data were entered into EpiData v3.1 and exported to the statistical package for SPSS v.20 for statistical analysis. The odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated to measure the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables. p ≤ 0.05 was used to determine the level of statistical significance.
RESULT: 419 leprosy patients participated in this study, accounting for a response rate of 99%. The proportion of ocular complications was found to be 69.9% (95% CI: 65.09–73.9). Age 40 years and above [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.2, 95% CI: 3.14–8.83], presence of leprosy reaction (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12–3.24), and leprosy disability grading [grade 1 disability (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.35–6.33), grade 2 disability (AOR = 3.0,95% CI: 1.36–7.08) ]were associated with the presence of ocular complication among leprosy patients.
CONCLUSION: Our finding showed that the ocular complication/lesion magnitude was high. Age 40 and above, the presence of leprea reaction and disability were significant factors associated with developing ocular complications among leprosy patients. Our results emphasize the need for solid collaboration efforts and commitment to handling ophthalmologic complications among leprosy patients aged 40 and above with leprosy reactions and disabilities.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is one of the world’s oldest diseases, and it is one of the major blinding diseases. Visual impairment in leprosy patients needs special consideration by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, not only preventable but also has a severe burden that affects productivity if not managed early. Nevertheless, little was understood about ocular complications and associated factors among leprosy patients in low income countries like Ethiopia, including the study locality.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 423 leprosy patients at the dermatology clinic at Boru Meda Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia. The collected data were entered into EpiData v3.1 and exported to the statistical package for SPSS v.20 for statistical analysis. The odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated to measure the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables. p ≤ 0.05 was used to determine the level of statistical significance.
RESULT: 419 leprosy patients participated in this study, accounting for a response rate of 99%. The proportion of ocular complications was found to be 69.9% (95% CI: 65.09–73.9). Age 40 years and above [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.2, 95% CI: 3.14–8.83], presence of leprosy reaction (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12–3.24), and leprosy disability grading [grade 1 disability (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.35–6.33), grade 2 disability (AOR = 3.0,95% CI: 1.36–7.08) ]were associated with the presence of ocular complication among leprosy patients.
CONCLUSION: Our finding showed that the ocular complication/lesion magnitude was high. Age 40 and above, the presence of leprea reaction and disability were significant factors associated with developing ocular complications among leprosy patients. Our results emphasize the need for solid collaboration efforts and commitment to handling ophthalmologic complications among leprosy patients aged 40 and above with leprosy reactions and disabilities.
Keywords
magnitude; associated factors; leprosy; ocular complication/lesions
About this articleTitle
commerciallyThe magnitude and associated factors of ocular lesions/complications among leprosy patients treated at Boru Meda General Hospital, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study design, 2021
Journal
Issue
Vol 8 (2023): Continuous Publishing
Article type
Original paper
Pages
87-93
Published online
2023-07-25
Page views
895
Article views/downloads
201
DOI
Bibliographic record
Ophthalmol J 2023;8:87-93.
Keywords
magnitude
associated factors
leprosy
ocular complication/lesions
Authors
Fentaw Bialfew
Kassahun Alemu Gelaye
Yeshimebet Ali Dawed
Feleke Tilahun Zewdu
Abdulkerim Mengistu
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