A study of ocular infections amongst primary school children in Delhi

J Commun Dis. 2004 Jun;36(2):121-6.

Abstract

The present study of ocular infections was conducted amongst primary school children residing in an urban slum and rural area of Delhi. A total of four schools were selected, two from urban slum in Central Delhi Rouse Avenue and two from a peripheral village on the outskirts of Delhi. All the children studying in the above mentioned schools and residing in the same area were covered. All the study subjects were interviewed, clinically examined and given a proforma to be filled by their parents. Of the total 775 subjects only 91 (11.74%) had ocular infections. Conjunctivitis was the most prevalent infection followed by trachoma, stye, blepharitis and chalazion. The type and prevalence of infection was similar, in both sexes and both areas, rural and urban. There was a significant rising trend of ocular infection with increase in age. A significant association was found between ocular infections and religion but the association with per capita income was not significant.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Blepharitis / epidemiology
  • Chalazion / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Conjunctivitis / epidemiology
  • Eye Infections / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Hordeolum / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Poverty Areas
  • Prevalence
  • Rural Population
  • Schools
  • Trachoma / epidemiology
  • Urban Population