title: Pediatric ocular injuries in a resource-deficient rural mission eye hospital in southeastern Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pediatric ocular trauma is a significant worldwide problem of public health importance being a leading cause of non-congenital unilateral blindness. This study evaluated the proportion, type and causes of ocular injuries among children in a rural hospital of Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children (<16 years) presenting with ocular trauma at the Eye clinic of the Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Ohaozara, Ebonyi state, Nigeria, between November 2011 and May 2012 were studied. Participant's socio-demographics, type of trauma, cause of trauma, and occupation of parents were collected and analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Proportion of ocular injuries was 26.4%. Injuries were more common among males (P=.041) and children from lower social class (P=.026). Injuries occurred more frequently during farm work (59.4%) and play (21.9%). The most common causes of injury were stick (34.4%) and stones (21.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proportion of ocular injuries among children at the rural hospital is high. Most causes are preventable.
authors: Obiekwe
authors: O
authors: Okoye
authors: Agozie
authors: A
authors: Ubesie
authors: Chimdia
authors: C
authors: Ogbonnaya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D016519:Hospitals, Religious; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D019035:Rural Health Services; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012923:Social Class