Factors associated with impairment of visual activities among south african university students
1
Environmental Health, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A373
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Lifestyle factors, body mass index (BMI), dietary and disease risk (DDR), and stress event occurrence (SEO) are known to influence overall health, including eye health, which can lead to visual impairment (VI) and impairment of visual activities (IVA). Quality of life, productivity, and academic performance can be affected, leading to a lack of employment and/or other opportunities, and even to diminished socioeconomic status.
METHODS:
The sample consisted of 409 participants, aged 18 to 29 years. The Lifestyle Appraisal Questionnaire (LAQ) was used to assess health risks and stress levels, with a total risk score (LAQ_TRS) calculated for each participant. Impairment of visual activity was evaluated using the Visual Activities Questionnaire (VAQ), which produced a total score (VAQ_TS) for each participant. To obtain BMI, a Casa electronic scale and Leicester stadiometer were used to measure weight and height respectively, Blood pressure was also measured using an automated sphygmomanometer (TMB-1491-S). Analysis was conducted using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, including normality and correlation methods.
RESULTS:
Non-parametric Spearman correlations revealed associations between LAQ_TRS and VAQ_TS (ρ=0.2, p<0.001) and other variables of interest. For example, a weak but significant positive correlation (r = 0.27, p<0.05) was found between BMI and LAQ_TRS, while no correlation was found between BMI and VAQ_TS. Modest correlations were observed between DDR and LAQ_TRS (r= 0.59, p= 0.0000), as well as for DDR and VAQ_TS (r= 0.18, p= 0.0002). A significant, although weak, association between SEO and LAQ_TRS was observed (r= 0.41, p= 0.0000), while a modest correlation between SEO and VAQ_TS was detected (r= 0.16, p= 0.0013). Females scored higher median scores for both LAQ_TRS and VAQ_TS.
CONCLUSIONS:
Lifestyle factors, DDR, and BMI were associated with IVA. However, the association between stress levels and IVA was relatively weak. LAQ_TRS and VAQ_TS were weakly correlated (ρ=0.2, p<0.001).
Lifestyle factors, body mass index (BMI), dietary and disease risk (DDR), and stress event occurrence (SEO) are known to influence overall health, including eye health, which can lead to visual impairment (VI) and impairment of visual activities (IVA). Quality of life, productivity, and academic performance can be affected, leading to a lack of employment and/or other opportunities, and even to diminished socioeconomic status.
METHODS:
The sample consisted of 409 participants, aged 18 to 29 years. The Lifestyle Appraisal Questionnaire (LAQ) was used to assess health risks and stress levels, with a total risk score (LAQ_TRS) calculated for each participant. Impairment of visual activity was evaluated using the Visual Activities Questionnaire (VAQ), which produced a total score (VAQ_TS) for each participant. To obtain BMI, a Casa electronic scale and Leicester stadiometer were used to measure weight and height respectively, Blood pressure was also measured using an automated sphygmomanometer (TMB-1491-S). Analysis was conducted using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, including normality and correlation methods.
RESULTS:
Non-parametric Spearman correlations revealed associations between LAQ_TRS and VAQ_TS (ρ=0.2, p<0.001) and other variables of interest. For example, a weak but significant positive correlation (r = 0.27, p<0.05) was found between BMI and LAQ_TRS, while no correlation was found between BMI and VAQ_TS. Modest correlations were observed between DDR and LAQ_TRS (r= 0.59, p= 0.0000), as well as for DDR and VAQ_TS (r= 0.18, p= 0.0002). A significant, although weak, association between SEO and LAQ_TRS was observed (r= 0.41, p= 0.0000), while a modest correlation between SEO and VAQ_TS was detected (r= 0.16, p= 0.0013). Females scored higher median scores for both LAQ_TRS and VAQ_TS.
CONCLUSIONS:
Lifestyle factors, DDR, and BMI were associated with IVA. However, the association between stress levels and IVA was relatively weak. LAQ_TRS and VAQ_TS were weakly correlated (ρ=0.2, p<0.001).
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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