title: Tracing children with blindness and visual impairment using the key informant survey in a district of north-Western Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify children with irreversible blindness in a district of northern Nigeria for enrolment into an inclusive education pilot project.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using key informants (KIs) working and residing within the communities, children with blindness and visual impairment in Gwadabawa local government area (LGA) were identified and then examined by a team of ophthalmologists/optometrists. Data analysis was performed manually using simple percentages and proportions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty children were reported with visual problems by parents/guardians of whom 58 (97%) were examined. Twenty children (35%) were blind, 17 (29%) were irreversibly blind, and 9 (16%) had low vision (<6/18 to 3/60) with presenting vision. The major causes of childhood blindness were corneal opacity/phthisis bulbi (75%), and cataract (15%). The cause of irreversible blindness in these children was largely preventable (80%) as it was due to childhood-related illnesses, such as vitamin A deficiency and measles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The major causes of childhood blindness in the study area were avoidable and the use of KI survey in this study provided an opportunity for service delivery.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nasiru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muhammad
authors.forename: Nuhu M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Maishanu
authors.forename: Aliyu M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jabo
authors.forename: Mansur M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rabiu