IQ Research Journal-Open Access-ISSN:2790-4296

Prevalence And Associated Risk Factors Of Vernal Kerato-Conjunctivitis Among Children Attending At Al- Ihasan Specialist Hospital In Mogadishu, Somalia.

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Author(s): Ahmed Omar Nour, Atanga Desmond Funwie, Kelly Kesten Manyi Nkeh, Mana Nouhou Etienne, Tchifam Berthe,

Velinga Ndolock Aime Cesaire. Paper Title:

Prevalence And Associated Risk Factors Of Vernal Kerato-Conjunctivitis Among Children Attending At Al-Ihasan Specialist

Hospital In Mogadishu, Somalia.

IQ Research Journal of IQ res. j. (2023)2(12): pp 01-11. Vol. 002, Issue 12 12-2023, pp.0799-0810

ABSTRACT

Background: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, bilateral allergic disease of the external eye that leads to chronic irritation, watering, and discharge. It occurs universally but is more common in hot and dry environments. It typically affects children in their first two decades, and although the majority of cases have a good prognosis and resolve spontaneously after puberty, potentially sight-threatening corneal changes occur in up to 10% of patients.
Objectives of the study: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of vernal
keratoconjunctivitis among children in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Materials and methods: The study design was a hospital-based cross-sectional study that
involved estimation of the prevalence and associated risk factors of vernal keratoconjunctivitis
among children in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Results: The prevalence of VKC was 59 (16.3%). In terms of demographic factors, more than
half (208, or 57.46%) of the respondents were girls, while the remaining 154 (42.54%) were
boys. Regarding age group, more than one-third (37.02%) of the respondents were aged 5–7
years old, and those aged 2–4 years old were also more than one-third 132 (36.46%), while the
remaining were aged above 10 years old and 8–10 years old, 65 (17.96%) and 31 (8.56%),
respectively. Lastly about half percent 184 (50.83%) of the respondents were low family
income level, approximately half percent 169 (46.69%) were middle family income level, while
the least were high family income level 9 (2.48%) only.

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