Epidemiology and demographic risk factors for myopia in Ghana: A 5-year retrospective study

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To explore the epidemiology and demographic risk factors for myopia among a clinical sample. Methods In a hospital-based retrospective study, eligible subjects were grouped into either myopia or non-myopia. Demographic data, including age, sex, occupation, area of residence, region of residence, and ethnicity, were analysed. Other clinical information analysed included the degree of myopia and intervention provided for the myopia. Results Overall, 15807 were enrolled, with 50.9% being males. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 42.81 ± 18.99 years. A total of 44.4% of the patients were myopic. Age, type of ethnic group, occupation, and area of residence were associated with myopia. Demographic risk factors for myopia included occupations such as professionals (OR: 2.93; 95% CI: 2.44–3.52), technicians and associated workers (OR: 6.71; 95% CI: 5.15–8.74), service workers (OR: 11.74; 95% CI: 9.62–14.33), skilled agriculture and fishery (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.41–2.50), craft workers (OR: 3.41; 95% CI: 2.75–4.25), armed forces (OR: 10.26; 95% CI: 7.54–13.97), students (OR: 3.49; 95% CI: 2.76–4.42), the unemployed (OR: 6.64; 95% CI: 5.44–8.11), as well as Ewe (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.17–1.82) and Ga-Adangbe (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.05–1.54) ethnicities. Conclusion Myopia is the most common presenting refractive error in eye care facilities in Ghana. Ewe and Ga-Adangbe ethnicities, and specific occupations are risk factors for myopia.