MYOPIA SCREENING IN ELEMENTARY STUDENT AT TEMANGGUNG DISTRICT

Background: Myopia is a type of refractive error which causes visual impairment. Early detection in schoolaged children is important to prevent. Permanent visual impairment. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence, and risk factors, myopia in elementary student at Temanggung District. Method: A cross-sectional analytic study design was used. The target population for screening was students from 4th -6 th grade attending schools in the Temanggung and Ngadirejo sub-districts (three schools per subdistrict). Distant visual acuity was tested by trained staff using Snellen charts. Risk factors were collected by structured questionnaire, completed by parents. Univariat and bivariat analysis were performed to calculate odds ratio and multivariate analysis by logistic regression. Results: There were 477 respondents: 51% male and 49% female. Age ranged between 9-15 years. The prevalence of myopia was 15% (95%CI: 0.11-0.17). Myopia was more common in females and children from Ngadirejo (a rural area). Bivariat analysis indicated that risk factors related to myopia are genetic, with OR=2.41 (95%CI: 1.29-4.38) p-value 0.002, duration of television/computer game use with OR=2.08 (95%CI: 1.17-3.79) p-value 0.007, reading distance with OR=1.83 (95%CI: 1.04-3.22) p-value 0.034 and body position while reading with OR=2.46 (95%CI: 1.26-4.68) p-value 0.003. Multivariate analysis identified genetic factors as the main risk factors for myopia (OR=2.23; 95%CI: 1,23-4,02). Conclusion: Prevalence of myopia at Temanggung District is high enough. Genetic factor was identified as the main risk factor. Myopia screening should be performed routinely to prevent permanent visual impairment. Children with a family history of myopia should be limited in near-work activity