Reducing visual deficits caused by refractive errors in school and preschool children: results of a pilot school program in the Andean region of Apurimac, Peru

Background: Refractive error is defined as the inability of the eye to bring parallel rays of light into focus on the retina, resulting in nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (Hyperopia) or astigmatism. Uncorrected refractive error in children is associated with increased morbidity and reduced educational opportunities. Vision screening (VS) is a method for identifying children with visual impairment or eye conditions likely to lead to visual impairment. Objective: To analyze the utility of vision screening conducted by teachers and to contribute to a better estimation of the prevalence of childhood refractive errors in Apurimac, Peru. Design: A pilot vision screening program in preschool (Group I) and elementary school children (Group II) was conducted with the participation of 26 trained teachers. Children whose visual acuity was<6/9 [20/30] (Group I) and≤6/9 (Group II) in one or both eyes, measured with the Snellen Tumbling E chart at 6 m, were referred for a comprehensive eye exam. Specificity and positive predictive value to detect refractive error were calculated against clinical examination. Program assessment with participants was conducted to evaluate outcomes and procedures. Results: A total sample of 364 children aged 3–11 were screened; 45 children were examined at Centro Oftalmológico Monseñor Enrique Pelach (COMEP) Eye Hospital. Prevalence of refractive error was 6.2% (Group I) and 6.9% (Group II); specificity of teacher vision screening was 95.8% and 93.0%, while positive predictive value was 59.1% and 47.8% for each group, respectively. Aspects highlighted to improve the program included extending training, increasing parental involvement, and helping referred children to attend the hospital. Conclusion: Prevalence of refractive error in children is significant in the region. Vision screening performed by trained teachers is a valid intervention for early detection of refractive error, including screening of preschool children. Program sustainability and improvements in education and quality of life resulting from childhood vision screening require further research.

Predictive Models of Alcohol Use Based on Attitudes and Individual Values

Two predictive models are developed in this article: the first is designed to predict people's attitudes to alcoholic drinks, while the second sets out to predict the use of alcohol in relation to selected individual values. University students (N = 1,500) were recruited through stratified sampling based on sex and academic discipline. The questionnaire used obtained information on participants' alcohol use, attitudes and personal values. The results show that the attitudes model correctly classifies 76.3% of cases. Likewise, the model for level of alcohol use correctly classifies 82% of cases. According to our results, we can conclude that there are a series of individual values that influence drinking and attitudes to alcohol use, which therefore provides us with a potentially powerful instrument for developing preventive intervention programs.

Perfeccionismo socialmente prescrito y afecto en la infancia

El objetivo de este estudio consistió en analizar la capacidad predictiva del afecto sobre las altas puntuaciones en Perfeccionismo Socialmente Prescrito (PSP) durante la infancia. Se reclutó una muestra de 462 alumnos españoles de Educación Primaria entre 8 y 11 años, de los cuales un 50.08% era varones. Se empleó la Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale (CAPS) y la 10-Item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (10-item PANAS-C) para evaluar, respectivamente, la dimensión PSP y el afecto positivo y negativo. Los resultados del análisis de regresión logística revelaron que tanto el Afecto Positivo como el Afecto Negativo predijeron significativamente altos niveles de PSP, con valores de OR de 1.03 y 1.10. Los resultados apoyaron parcialmente las hipótesis formuladas, indicando que durante la infancia, al contrario que durante la adultez, el PSP se asocia significativamente y de forma positiva con ambos tipos de afecto. No obstante, se evidenció que esta asociación era mucho más estrecha en el caso del Afecto Negativo.