PREVALENCE OF BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN THE REGION OF SEGOU,MALI - A BASE-LINE SURVEY FOR A PRIMARY EYE CARE PROGRAM

A community-based cross-sectional study on the prevalence and causes o f blindness and visual impairment was conducted between July and Augus t 1990 in three rural districts in Segou region, Mall. The study popul ation consisted of 5871 villagers. In the study area, the overall prev alence of bilateral blindness was 1.7% (standardized rate for age 2.0% +/- 0.4%), of bilateral visual impairment 1.7% (2.1% +/- 0.4%), of un ilateral blindness 1.7% (2.2% +/- 0.4%) and of unilateral visual impai rment 1.0% (1.2 +/- 0.3%). No important differences were found between districts. Cataract was the most common cause of visual loss (54%) an d was most prevalent among those over 50 years of age. In 43%, unilate ral blindness was associated with trauma. Other major eye diseases acc ounting for high percentages of visual impairment were trachoma and gl aucoma. Xerophthalmia appeared to be a major public health problem amo ng children in the age group 0-5. It was concluded that blindness is a major public health problem in this region. Some recommendations are given for strengthening integrated primary eye care at the district le vel in Segou region.