PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

 

e-ISSN 2231-8542
ISSN 1511-3701

Home / Regular Issue / JTAS Vol. 25 (S) Mar. 2017 / JST-S0165-2016

 

Discrepancy in the Accuracy of Vision Screening Program Performed by Allied Health Personnel in a Preschool

Nurul Farhana Abu Bakar and Ai-Hong Chen

Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 25, Issue S, March 2017

Keywords: Accuracy, nurses, preschool, vision screening

Published on: 05 Dec 2017

The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of allied health personnel, after attending a training programme, in conducting vision screening for preschool children. A total of 43 allied health personnel (20 assistant medical officers (AMOs) and 23 nurses) attended a two-day training program prior to conducting vision screening for preschool children. Vision screening was conducted among 136 preschool children using four similar HOTV visual acuity chart at 6 m. The cut-off referral criterion for visual acuity (VA) testing was 6/9 or worse in either eye. All children were referred to two qualified optometrists for a comprehensive eye examination. The accuracy was based on the sensitivity and specificity of screening by each group of personnel. The overall prevalence of reduced VA in the studied population was about 10%. The sensitivity and specificity of vision screening performed by AMOs were 100% and 98% respectively while that performed by nurses were 56% and 94% respectively. Thus, there were discrepancies in the sensitivity of visual acuity testing despite them being conducted by healthcare providers with similar background and training. This suggests that their performance might be influenced by factors other than their professional training.

ISSN 1511-3701

e-ISSN 2231-8542

Article ID

JST-S0165-2016

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