Screening of Hearing and Vision Impairment in Primary School Children in Relation to Grade and Sex

Abstract

Objective – The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of hearing and sight impairment, and the differences in relation to school grade and sex in school children in the area of the Jajce municipality.

Materials and Methods – Screening of sight and hearing impairment in school children took place in 2018 and 2019. Vision screening covered a total of 1002 students from 1st to 5th grades, and hearing screening 768 students from 2nd to 5th grades in all central and district (rural) schools in the area of the municipality of Jajce.

Results – Of the total number of students covered by the vision screening, in 163 (16%) some impairment was noticed, and they were sent for further diagnostic testing by a specialist. In relation to sex, there was a higher percentage of girls, 60%, than boys, 40%. In relation to screening of hearing, 44 (6%) of the students were sent for further diagnostics, of which 57% were boys and 43% girls. During the vision screening, 5% of the students were wearing dioptric glasses. In relation to age, the largest number of students were in first grade, 14 (27%), then in second grade, 10 students (19%).

Conclusion – In this study, the results showed that a large percentage of school children were found with hearing and vision impairment, which indicates the pressing need to continue running these preventive programmes.