Prevalence of visual impairment in school-aged children (6–16 years) with special educational needs in Northern Mozambique: a cross-sectional study

Isaura Ilorena d’Alva Brito dos Santos; Avelino Nelson Filipe Mazuze; Dalton Da Costa Amaral Guiador; Dulnério Barbosa Sengo; Ngozika Esther Ezinne; Michael Agyemang Kwarteng; Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu

doi:10.1186/s12982-026-01428-w

Prevalence of visual impairment in school-aged children (6–16 years) with special educational needs in Northern Mozambique: a cross-sectional study

Isaura Ilorena d’Alva Brito dos Santos, Avelino Nelson Filipe Mazuze, Dalton Da Costa Amaral Guiador, Dulnério Barbosa Sengo, Ngozika Esther Ezinne, Michael Agyemang Kwarteng, Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Purpose: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of visual impairment (VI) in school-age children with special educational needs in northern Mozambique.

Methods: A total of 142 children, both with (n = 64) and without (n = 78) disabilities, aged 6 to 16 years and enrolled in grades 1 to 12, were recruited at the Josina Machel Inclusive Education Resource Center (CREI) between January and June 2019. Comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity (VA) testing,cycloplegic and subjective refraction, and anterior and posterior segment examinationt, were conducted. Visual Impairment (VI) was defined based on presenting VA in the better eye and categorised into mild (VA between < 6/12 and 6/18), moderate (VA between < 6/18 and 6/60), severe (VA between < 6/60 and 3/60) VI, Blindness was defined as VA < 3/60.Demographic information and medical history of the participants were recorded. Multivariable analysis using bivariate logistic regression were performed to determine associations between variables. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%.

Results: The prevalence of VI was significantly higher in children with disabilities (25.0%) than in those without (2.6%; p < 0.001). Refractive errors (68.8%) and ocular anomalies (20.3%) were also more common in children with disabilities. Refractive error was a significant predictor of VI in this group (p < 0.001; AOR = 10.91, 95% CI 4.73–25.15), with hyperopia being the most prevalent type.

Conclusion: The study found that children with special needs in northern Mozambique have a significantly higher prevalence of VI, with refractive error being the most significant factor. These findings emphasize the critical need for periodic vision screening programs in schools catering to children with disabilities for early detection and management of refractive errors to prevent or minimize VI.

Original language	English
Article number	124
Number of pages	11
Journal	Discover public health
Volume	23
Issue number	1
Early online date	2 Feb 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-01428-w
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 2 Feb 2026
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 4 Quality Education

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dos Santos, I. I. DA. B., Mazuze, A. N. F., Guiador, D. D. C. A., Sengo, D. B., Ezinne, N. E., Kwarteng, M. A., & Osuagwu, U. L. (2026). Prevalence of visual impairment in school-aged children (6–16 years) with special educational needs in Northern Mozambique: a cross-sectional study. Discover public health, 23(1), Article 124. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-01428-w

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title = "Prevalence of visual impairment in school-aged children (6–16 years) with special educational needs in Northern Mozambique: a cross-sectional study",

abstract = "Purpose: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of visual impairment (VI) in school-age children with special educational needs in northern Mozambique. Methods: A total of 142 children, both with (n = 64) and without (n = 78) disabilities, aged 6 to 16 years and enrolled in grades 1 to 12, were recruited at the Josina Machel Inclusive Education Resource Center (CREI) between January and June 2019. Comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity (VA) testing,cycloplegic and subjective refraction, and anterior and posterior segment examinationt, were conducted. Visual Impairment (VI) was defined based on presenting VA in the better eye and categorised into mild (VA between < 6/12 and 6/18), moderate (VA between < 6/18 and 6/60), severe (VA between < 6/60 and 3/60) VI, Blindness was defined as VA < 3/60.Demographic information and medical history of the participants were recorded. Multivariable analysis using bivariate logistic regression were performed to determine associations between variables. The level of statistical significance was set at 5\%. Results: The prevalence of VI was significantly higher in children with disabilities (25.0\%) than in those without (2.6\%; p < 0.001). Refractive errors (68.8\%) and ocular anomalies (20.3\%) were also more common in children with disabilities. Refractive error was a significant predictor of VI in this group (p < 0.001; AOR = 10.91, 95\% CI 4.73–25.15), with hyperopia being the most prevalent type. Conclusion: The study found that children with special needs in northern Mozambique have a significantly higher prevalence of VI, with refractive error being the most significant factor. These findings emphasize the critical need for periodic vision screening programs in schools catering to children with disabilities for early detection and management of refractive errors to prevent or minimize VI.",

keywords = "Disability, Mozambique, Prevalence, Risk factors, Schoolchildren, Special needs, Visual impairment",

author = "\{dos Santos\}, \{Isaura Ilorena d{\textquoteright}Alva Brito\} and Mazuze, \{Avelino Nelson Filipe\} and Guiador, \{Dalton Da Costa Amaral\} and Sengo, \{Duln{\'e}rio Barbosa\} and Ezinne, \{Ngozika Esther\} and Kwarteng, \{Michael Agyemang\} and Osuagwu, \{Uchechukwu Levi\}",

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doi = "10.1186/s12982-026-01428-w",

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Prevalence of visual impairment in school-aged children (6–16 years) with special educational needs in Northern Mozambique: a cross-sectional study. / dos Santos, Isaura Ilorena d’Alva Brito; Mazuze, Avelino Nelson Filipe; Guiador, Dalton Da Costa Amaral et al.
In: Discover public health, Vol. 23, No. 1, 124, 01.12.2026.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Prevalence of visual impairment in school-aged children (6–16 years) with special educational needs in Northern Mozambique

T2 - a cross-sectional study

AU - dos Santos, Isaura Ilorena d’Alva Brito

AU - Mazuze, Avelino Nelson Filipe

AU - Guiador, Dalton Da Costa Amaral

AU - Sengo, Dulnério Barbosa

AU - Ezinne, Ngozika Esther

AU - Kwarteng, Michael Agyemang

AU - Osuagwu, Uchechukwu Levi

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2026.

PY - 2026/2/2

Y1 - 2026/2/2

N2 - Purpose: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of visual impairment (VI) in school-age children with special educational needs in northern Mozambique. Methods: A total of 142 children, both with (n = 64) and without (n = 78) disabilities, aged 6 to 16 years and enrolled in grades 1 to 12, were recruited at the Josina Machel Inclusive Education Resource Center (CREI) between January and June 2019. Comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity (VA) testing,cycloplegic and subjective refraction, and anterior and posterior segment examinationt, were conducted. Visual Impairment (VI) was defined based on presenting VA in the better eye and categorised into mild (VA between < 6/12 and 6/18), moderate (VA between < 6/18 and 6/60), severe (VA between < 6/60 and 3/60) VI, Blindness was defined as VA < 3/60.Demographic information and medical history of the participants were recorded. Multivariable analysis using bivariate logistic regression were performed to determine associations between variables. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: The prevalence of VI was significantly higher in children with disabilities (25.0%) than in those without (2.6%; p < 0.001). Refractive errors (68.8%) and ocular anomalies (20.3%) were also more common in children with disabilities. Refractive error was a significant predictor of VI in this group (p < 0.001; AOR = 10.91, 95% CI 4.73–25.15), with hyperopia being the most prevalent type. Conclusion: The study found that children with special needs in northern Mozambique have a significantly higher prevalence of VI, with refractive error being the most significant factor. These findings emphasize the critical need for periodic vision screening programs in schools catering to children with disabilities for early detection and management of refractive errors to prevent or minimize VI.

AB - Purpose: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of visual impairment (VI) in school-age children with special educational needs in northern Mozambique. Methods: A total of 142 children, both with (n = 64) and without (n = 78) disabilities, aged 6 to 16 years and enrolled in grades 1 to 12, were recruited at the Josina Machel Inclusive Education Resource Center (CREI) between January and June 2019. Comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity (VA) testing,cycloplegic and subjective refraction, and anterior and posterior segment examinationt, were conducted. Visual Impairment (VI) was defined based on presenting VA in the better eye and categorised into mild (VA between < 6/12 and 6/18), moderate (VA between < 6/18 and 6/60), severe (VA between < 6/60 and 3/60) VI, Blindness was defined as VA < 3/60.Demographic information and medical history of the participants were recorded. Multivariable analysis using bivariate logistic regression were performed to determine associations between variables. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: The prevalence of VI was significantly higher in children with disabilities (25.0%) than in those without (2.6%; p < 0.001). Refractive errors (68.8%) and ocular anomalies (20.3%) were also more common in children with disabilities. Refractive error was a significant predictor of VI in this group (p < 0.001; AOR = 10.91, 95% CI 4.73–25.15), with hyperopia being the most prevalent type. Conclusion: The study found that children with special needs in northern Mozambique have a significantly higher prevalence of VI, with refractive error being the most significant factor. These findings emphasize the critical need for periodic vision screening programs in schools catering to children with disabilities for early detection and management of refractive errors to prevent or minimize VI.

KW - Disability

KW - Mozambique

KW - Prevalence

KW - Risk factors

KW - Schoolchildren

KW - Special needs

KW - Visual impairment

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029043730

U2 - 10.1186/s12982-026-01428-w

DO - 10.1186/s12982-026-01428-w

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105029043730

SN - 1742-7622

VL - 23

JO - Discover public health

JF - Discover public health

IS - 1

M1 - 124

ER -

Prevalence of visual impairment in school-aged children (6–16 years) with special educational needs in Northern Mozambique: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

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