Zhou Y, Huang XB, Cao X, Wang M, Jin NX, Gong YX, Xiong YJ, Cai Q, Zhu Y, Song Y, Sun ZM. Prevalence of Myopia and Influencing Factors among High School Students in Nantong, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Ophthalmic Res 2022;
66:27-38. [PMID:
35500560 DOI:
10.1159/000524293]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Myopia is an increasingly serious health problem in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of myopia and the factors associated with it among students in Nantong, China, to show the current status of myopia prevention.
METHODS
This school-based, cross-sectional study examined students from all high schools in an urban area of Nantong, China. At least two classes were randomly selected from each grade of each school. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect the required information. Univariate analyses were performed to identify associations between myopia and various parameters. Noncycloplegic autorefraction and visual acuity were assessed for each student. Factors that were statistically significant in univariate analyses were selected for multivariate analyses. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent refraction of ≤-0.5 diopters.
RESULTS
The completion percentage of students out of the whole high school was 6.5%. The overall prevalence of myopia was 94%. The response percentage of the number of validated questionnaires was 90.2%, of which 50.2% (n = 1,466) were from male participants, and 49.8% (n = 1,452) were from female participants. The mean (SD) of age was 15.22 ± 1.75 years, ranging from 12 to 18 years. Factors such as female sex, older age, parental myopia, sitting in the back of the classroom, increased homework time, and minimal outdoor activity were significantly associated with a higher risk of myopia (p < 0.05). In the myopic population, most students (67.9%) did not take measures to prevent further progression of myopia.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of myopia among high school students was 94%. Female sex, older age, parental myopia, sitting in the back of the classroom, increased homework time, and minimal outdoor activity were significantly associated with a higher risk of myopia. Most students with myopia (67.9%) did not take measures to prevent further progression of myopia.
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