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in 15.7% of the children screened (Choi et a1.,1995). Rodriquez and Gonzalez (1995)
have reported a very high prevalenw (48.0%) of refractive error in Colombia. In some
African countries, measles keratitis and Onchocersiasis related eye lesions were
common (Ajaiyaohs,lQQ4; Umeh et el.,lQQ5). Cataract was a common cause of
blindness in children in Cambodia (Thomson,1997). In India, the prevalence of eye
disorden in school children varied from 2.0% to 20.0% (Rao et aL,1964; Goyal
et a1.,1989). A study from Mee~t
showed the prevalenw of refractive error to be 8.7%,
trachoma 5.0%, visual disturbance 1.3O/0, disorders of conjunctiva 1.3%, inflammation
of eyelids 0.9% and disorders of lachrymal system 0.4°/~ (Garg et a1..1986). In another
study, it was observed that 9.0% had refractive error, 1.7% had conjunctival disorders.
0.6% had inflammat~on of eyelids and 0.5% had trachoma. Ocular morbidity was
maximum between 610 years of age (Goyal et a1.,1989).
jm) Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is a common symptom in children with a prevalence of 10-15% in
school aged children in different parts of the world. It is more common in girls than
boys The prevalence is higher in the 8-12 year age group (Appley and Naish,1958;
Oster,1972; Rappaport,l989). In developed countries, psychological or nonorganic
causes were found to be important etiological agents of abdominal pain (SEwena,I979).
On the other hand, in India, worm infestation and abdominal tuberculosis were the
common causes of abdominal pain (Kulshresthe et al.,l976). In a study from
Pondicheny, organic etiology was found in about 51.0% of children with abdominal
Pain, the leading cause being intestinal parasitic infection (Thakur,l996).