title: Prevalence and associated factors of pterygium among adults living in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of pterygium among adults living in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional design study was carried out in 390 participants in Gondar city from April 15 to May 7, 2016. Basic ophthalmic examination was performed using portable slit lamb, 3.5x magnifying loop with torch light and a pretested and structured questionnaire was completed. The raw data has been entered into EPI INFO 3.5.1 and analyzed by SPPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics was summarized descriptive data. Logistic regression was used to summarize the predictors of pterygium. The variables with p-value less than 0.05 were considered as significant risks of pterygium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of pterygium among study participants was 151(38.7% (95%CI; 33.8-43.8)). Among those who have pterygium, 149(98.7%) were developed pterygium on the nasal side and 15(9.9%) on temporal side of the either eye and 13(8.6%) have both. Age between 41-60(AOR = 2.20(95%CI: 1.22, 3.39)), age between 61-86(AOR = 7.97(95%CI: 2.74, 23.17)), male sex (AOR = 2.20(95%CI: 1.28, 3.82)), outdoor working area(AOR = 3.75(95%CI: 2.18, 6.46)), the use of traditional eye medication (AOR = 2.55 (95%CI: 1.04, 5.90)) and family history of pterygium (AOR = 6.68(95% CI: 2.53, 17.60)) were positively associated with pterygium whereas use of sunglass/hat (AOR = 0.40(95%CI:0.20, 0.78)) was negatively associated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a high prevalence of pterygium in Gondar city northwest Ethiopia. Old age, male sex, outdoor working area, utilization of traditional eye medication and family history of pterygium were statistically significant predictors of pterygium. The use of sunglass/hat was protective against pterygium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar city, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Dereje Hayilu
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2239-2458
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Anbesse
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar city, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Tsehay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kassa
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar city, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Biruktayit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kefyalew
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar city, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Atirsaw
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tasew
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar city, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Abie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atnie
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar city, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Beredu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Desta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011625:Pterygium / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012923:Social Class; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires