Xerophthalmia in primary school children in hadramoute coast-yemen

الملخص EN

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of xerophthalmia in hadramout governorate coast-Yemen by study 18 primary schools.

METHODS: 5366 children aged 5-12 years (3334 girls & 2032 boys) were randomly selected from 18 primary schools in hadramout coast (15 governmental & 3 private).

All the selected children were assessed for symptoms & signs of xerophthalmia by history taking & eye examination.

RESULT: The prevalence of night blindness in hadramout primary school children is 1.92%, 103 cases (1.65%, 55 girls & 2.36% 48 boys).

The prevalence is different from geographical area to another in the same city, where it is highest in the poorest area as aisha school (15.94%) in al koda zone which is resided by low socioeconomic somalian peoples,