Deficiency

The eyes like every other organ of the body, are biochemical elements that respond to both helpful or harmful biochemical stimuli leading to either a healthy or pathological state. Anaemia, antioxidant vitamin deficiencies and visual impairment (VI) are public health problems resulting in poor eye health globally. This study aimed to determine the relationship among anaemia, antioxidant vitamins and VI as well as the effect of antioxidant vitamins and iron supplements on visual acuity and anaemia. A pretest-posttest study of 201 respondents randomly selected from primary and secondary schools in three senatorial districts of Delta State, Nigeria. Sociodemographic data and visual acuity tests were done before and after intervention. Preventive intervention with a single dose of vitamin A, daily Vitamin C, weekly vitamin E, and twice weekly ferrous sulphate supplements was administered for five weeks. Spectacle prescriptions were administered to correct refractive errors (RE). Pretest-posttest haemoglobin and serum vitamins ACE were done using JENWAY 6320D Spectrophotometer. Data were analysed using SPSS version 28.0. Statistical significance was defined as P< 0.05. Findings showed that 83 (41.3%) were males and 118 (58.7%) were females with a mean age of 12.30± 3.14 years. Prevalence of anaemia and VI at baseline was 38.3% and 28.9% respectively, and 0% and 5.5% post-intervention respectively. Prevalence of vitamins A and C at baseline was 12.4% and 12.9% respectively, and post-intervention was 6.0% and 15.9% respectively. Prevalence of vitamin E at baseline and post-intervention was 0.0% respectively. RE was the major cause of VI with a prevalence of 23.4%. The association between visual impairment at baseline and impaired vision with spectacle prescription intervention was statistically significant (P=0.001). The correlation of anaemia, vitamins ACE and VI were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Odd ratios of vitamins ACE and iron supplements were predicted to decrease the risk of having anaemia and VI, though not statistically significant (P>0.05). This study showed that antioxidant vitamins and iron supplementation as well as spectacle prescription were effective in reducing the prevalence of anaemia, antioxidant vitamin deficiencies and visual impairment among primary and secondary school children in Delta State.

Objectives: Colour vision deficiency (CVD) is a suggested risk factor in road traffic injuries and deaths globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CVD and associated socio-demographic characteristics (SDCs) among commercial motor vehicle drivers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 341 commercial motor-vehicle drivers aged ≥ 20 years in Benin City Metropolis using a purposive sampling technique. Socio-demographic data were collected using a selfadministered questionnaire. Colour vision was assessed using Ishihara pseudochromatic colour plates. Data was analysed using IBM-SPSS version 29.0 and presented in tables and charts. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 341 commercial drivers participated in the study. Males were 326 (95.6%), and females were 15 (4.4%). The prevalence of CVD was 9.6% (8.8% males and 0.8% females). Deuteronomaly was the major type of CVD. The age group 41-50 years, having a prevalence of 3.8% was the most affected. The prevalence of CVD increased with an increase in years of driving experience. The association between CVD and SDCs such as age groups, educational status, and years of driving experience, was not statistically significant (P >0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of CVD among drivers in this study was significant, and this could exacerbate road traffic accidents due to the inability to detect traffic signals and other road signs while driving. Routine colour vision assessment of drivers is recommended before issuance of driver’s license and relicensing