Prevalence of Ocular allergy among high school children in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Aim

 To determine the epidemiology of ocular allergy (OA) among secondary school children in Trinidad and Tobago

Method

A descriptive cross-sectional school-based study was conducted from September 2022 to May 2023. A spinner wheel website was used to select schools to be included in the study. Information on demography, presence of ocular allergy symptoms, associated risk factors, and impact of ocular allergy were obtained. The data collected was exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the correlation between variables was examined with the use of Pearson Chi-square test using a p-value of <0.05 as the threshold for statistical significance.

Results-

A total of 420 students comprising of 198 males (47.1%) and 222 females (52.9%) aged 11–18 years participated in the study. The prevalence of OA was 49.3% (207 children) and SAC was the most prevalent (90.3%) type of OA. The prevalence of OA was higher among 14 years age group (23.4%) and females (58.8%). Difficulty breathing or wheezing, asthma, food, rhinitis, atopic eczema, and mites were associated with OA (P<0.05).

Conclusion-

 The prevalence of OA among secondary school students in Trinidad was relatively high as compared to various studies conducted across the globe. Strategies for early diagnosis, management and control is highly advised.

Abstract

Aim

 To determine the epidemiology of ocular allergy (OA) among secondary school children in Trinidad and Tobago

Method

A descriptive cross-sectional school-based study was conducted from September 2022 to May 2023. A spinner wheel website was used to select schools to be included in the study. Information on demography, presence of ocular allergy symptoms, associated risk factors, and impact of ocular allergy were obtained. The data collected was exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the correlation between variables was examined with the use of Pearson Chi-square test using a p-value of <0.05 as the threshold for statistical significance.

Results-

A total of 420 students comprising of 198 males (47.1%) and 222 females (52.9%) aged 11–18 years participated in the study. The prevalence of OA was 49.3% (207 children) and SAC was the most prevalent (90.3%) type of OA. The prevalence of OA was higher among 14 years age group (23.4%) and females (58.8%). Difficulty breathing or wheezing, asthma, food, rhinitis, atopic eczema, and mites were associated with OA (P<0.05).

Conclusion-

 The prevalence of OA among secondary school students in Trinidad was relatively high as compared to various studies conducted across the globe. Strategies for early diagnosis, management and control is highly advised.