The level of prevalence and risk factors of strabismus among children and adolescents, depending on the type of settlements in the Ganja-Gazakh economic district (Azerbaijan)

BACKGROUND: Strabismus as a pathological condition complicating the visual function and affecting the behavioral functions of children is often in the center of attention of numerous studies. The presence of regional differences in the strabismus prevalence makes this problem a relevant to study issue in the regions of Azerbaijan.

AIM: To assess the prevalence rate of strabismus among children depending on the settlement type.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observation of a sample of children aged 5–19 years was carried out; the sample size was determined taking into account the size of the margin of sampling error less than 5%. 300 children at the age 5–9, 10–14, 15–19 years (150 boys and 150 girls) in a large town (Ganja) and rural settlements of Ganja-Gazakh region (2700 children in total) have been observed. In all children, an ophthalmologic examination was performed by specialists of the mobile team of the National Ophthalmological Center named after academician Z. Aliyeva.

RESULTS: Strabismus was found in children aged 5-19 years in 4.6 ± 0.7% of cases in a large town and in 2.7 ± 0.5% of cases in rural settlements. Significant differences of prevalence rate of strabismus by age and gender were not confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS: In the region, the incidence of strabismus among children aged 5–19 years was 3.8 ± 0.4%. In a large town, the risk of strabismus among children is high. In children with strabismus, refractive errors and perinatal conditions (prematurity) are often found.