ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2026
Visual Difficulties and Uptake of Optical Correction Among Malawians: Insights from the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey.
Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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5 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundUncorrected visual impairment, primarily due to refractive errors, is a persistent public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. In Malawi, national data on the prevalence of visual difficulty and uptake of optical correction remain scarce, hindering targeted health interventions. This study examines the prevalence of self-reported visual difficulties, the uptake of refractive correction, and the sociodemographic determinants of optical correction in Malawi using 2024 national survey data.
methodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of data from the 2024 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS), a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey encompassing 23,095 participants across urban and rural regions. Self-reported visual difficulties and optical correction (spectacle/contact lens use) were assessed alongside key sociodemographic factors. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regression.
resultsAmong 23,095 participants, visual difficulty was significantly associated with age, education, marital status, region, and residence (all
conclusionsThe unmet need for refractive correction in Malawi is substantial, disproportionately affecting older, less educated, rural, and widowed individuals. Expanding access to affordable and equitable refractive services is essential to reducing avoidable visual impairment and addressing social and geographic health disparities.
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