Prevalence and Distribution of Anterior Segment Ocular Diseases among Commercial Biomass Fuel Users in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Food vendors who use biomass fuel are exposed to the toxic free radicals released from the combustion of wood, gaseous aromatic hydrocarbons, gaseous chemicals and the particulate solid irritants that are airborne. Therefore, the prevalence and distribution of anterior segment ocular diseases among commercial biomass fuel users in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria was investigated. One hundred (100) consenting participants were interviewed and subsequently subjected to clinical examinations which included external examinations with pen torch, Rose Bengal staining and ophthalmoscopy. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-squared statistical method at 0.05 level of significance. It was observed that conjunctivitis was the most prevalent anterior segment disease in biomass fuel users occurring in 39 persons (29.32%), followed by cataract 33 (24.81%), dry eye disease 30 (22.56%), pterygium 21 (15.79%), and pinguecula 10 (7.52%). It was also observed that age and duration in business did not significantly affect the incidence of these diseases (p>0.05). While further studies on the relationship between biomass and ocular morbidities are encouraged, calls to make liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) more affordable for domestic cooking might be helpful especially for the protection of women and children who are primarily exposed.