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Original Research
Impact of spectacle wear on the quality of life of learners with hearing impairment in Ghana
Submitted: 15 August 2023 | Published: 23 May 2024
About the author(s)
Michael A. Kwarteng, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe; Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; and Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and TobagoKhathutshelo P. Mashige, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Samuel Kyei, Department of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Pirindhavellie Govender-Poonsamy, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Daniel S.Q. Dogbe, Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
Abstract
Background: Visual impairment significantly affects learners with hearing impairment.
Aim: To assess the impact of spectacle wear on the quality of life (QoL) of learners with hearing impairment in Ghana.
Setting: Six schools for the deaf in Ghana.
Methods: A prospective case-control study design was used to assess the QoL among learners with uncorrected refractive error (URE) using the quality-of-life impact of refractive correction (QIRC) questionnaire before and after the provision of spectacles.
Results: A total of 138 learners were enrolled in this study, with 69 learners in both the intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean QIRC score improved significantly for the intervention group: QIRC score before = 43.89 ± 8.96 vs. after = 48.82 ± 6.71 (P < 0.05 and Cohen’s d = 0.62) but not the control group: QIRC score before = 50.79 ± 11.66 and 51.77 ± 10.67 (P = 0.607). Among the learners provided with spectacles, those who did not comply with spectacle wear had significant differences (P < 0.05) in mean QIRC scores before and after the intervention. Only visual acuity (VA) and the magnitude of prescription with QIRC scores after intervention had a significant relationship (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Uncorrected refractive error affected the QoL of learners with hearing impairment, and spectacle correction significantly improved their QoL.
Contribution: The use of spectacle lenses, VA and magnitude of prescription affected the QoL scores; however, sex and age did not influence the QoL scores.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
Metrics
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