Self-Reported Disability and Its Relation to Rapid Assessment of Avoid able Blindness (RAAB) in Northern Uganda
Abstract:
Background: Blindness and visual impairment, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries, remain critical global health challenges. Globally, an estimated 43 million people are blind, with unoperated cataracts accounting for half of all cases. Uganda, with strained healthcare systems and high poverty levels, faces significant inequities in accessing eye care, particularly for individuals with disabilities. This study aimed to estimate blindness and disability prevalence among individuals aged 50 and above.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Northern Uganda in 2023, targeting individuals aged 50 and above. A two-stage sampling method selected 76 clusters with 50 participants each, yielding a total sample size of 3,800. Data on visual impairment and disability were collected using RAAB7 software and the Washington Group methodology.
Results: Among 3,662 examined participants (97.3% response rate), the overall blindness prevalence was 2.5% (95% CI: 1.7–3.4), higher in females (2.8%) than males (2.2%). Severe visual impairment (SVI) was 3.2% (95% CI: 2.2–4.1), and moderate visual impairment (MVI) was 9.3% (95% CI: 7.6–10.9). Untreated cataracts were the leading cause of blindness (51.3%). The prevalence of disability was 14.3%, with "difficulties with seeing” (11.5%) as the most reported.
Conclusion: Disability and visual impairment are closely linked, with unoperated cataracts remaining the leading cause of blindness. People with disabilities experience lower cataract surgical coverage and inequitable healthcare access. Addressing these gaps requires disability-inclusive policies, targeted interventions, and stronger outreach.
