Nigeria: Sightsavers Reports Mental Health Burden

Sightsavers has underscored the importance of targeted policies and programmes that address the preventable causes of vision impairment and blindness in Nigeria.

In a study conducted in partnership with the University of Ilorin and the Kogi State Ministry of Health, the international nonprofit revealed links between vision impairment and poor mental health in the country.

The study, titled Vision impairment and self-reported anxiety and depression in older adults in Nigeria: evidence from a cross-sectional survey in Kogi State, found that blind people aged 50 years and over in Nigeria are nearly four times as likely to have self-reported symptoms of anxiety or depression than those with no vision impairment.

It also found that individuals with severe vision impairment are almost three times as likely, and those with moderate visual impairment twice as likely, to report having mental health issues.

Supported by the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Sightsavers said in a statement to Development Diaries that the study estimated the association between vision impairment and self-reported anxiety and depression of nearly 4,000 adults in Kogi State, north-central Nigeria.

According to the study, the probability of self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression is estimated to be more than four times higher among men with severe visual impairment or blindness and more likely as men age, compared to women with the same levels of vision loss.

The research noted that social and cultural norms, differences in gender roles and coping styles may account for the gender difference in self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Evidence around labour force participation in Nigeria suggests that men are more likely to be economically active outside of the home than women.

‘The research highlights that there is a substantial mental health burden among people with vision impairment and that eye health should not be considered in a silo’, Sightsavers Senior Programme Manager, Selben Penzin, said in the statement.

‘It is important for governments and organisations to be aware that people with vision impairments may be more likely to have additional mental health needs and design health services to be sensitive to this.

‘Improving vision through targeted policies and integration of inclusive eye health services into national health and education systems will improve independence, productivity, and well-being.

‘Findings also show the need for further research to understand the knock-on effects of sight loss on mental health, and collaboration between governments and organisations across the world to address the issues’.

Findings from the study suggest a substantial mental health burden among people with vision impairment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly older men.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, at an event to commemorate the 2021 World Sight Day (WSD), said low awareness and inaccessibility to appropriate eye services contribute to increase in blindness cases in the country.

Photo source: This is Nigeria

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