Retinopathy of prematurity among infants in East Africa: a systematic review and Meta-analysis
17 affiliations
- 1Department of Neonatal Nursing, Menelik II Medical and Health Science College, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 3268, Ethiopia
- 2Public Health Nutrition, Menelik II Medical and Health Science College, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 3268, Ethiopia
- 3Department of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Ethiopia
- 4Department of Pediatric and Child Health Nursing, Menelik II Medical and Health Science College, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 3268, Ethiopia
- 5Department of Anesthesia, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Ethiopia
- 6Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Injibara University, Injibara, P.O. Box 40, Ethiopia
- 7Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia
- 8Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia
- 9Department of Anesthesia, Werabe University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Werabe, P.O. Box 046, Ethiopia
- 10School of Nursing, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, P.O. Box 138, Ethiopia
- 11Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fiche, P.O. Box 245, Ethiopia
- 12Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization, Khyber Medical University, Hayatabad, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan
- 13Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nurse, Menelik II Medical and Health Science College, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 3268, Ethiopia
- 14Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, P.O. Box 21, Ethiopia
- 15Department of Public Health, Menelik II Medical and Health Science College, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 3268, Ethiopia
- 16Department of Anesthesia, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wachemo University, Hossana, P.O. Box 667, Ethiopia
- 17Department of Surgical Nursing, Menelik II Medical and Health Science College, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 3268, Ethiopia
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate the pooled magnitude of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among infants’ populations in East Africa. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, and African Journals Online to identify studies from East African published up to August 2025 that reported the magnitude of ROP and its associated factors. The quality of the included cohort and cross-sectional studies was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects Meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled magnitude of ROP and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for associated factors, with results presented using 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the I² statistic, and subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to explore its sources. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included. The pooled magnitude of ROP in East Africa was 18% (95%CI: 13%–24%, I2=95.77%). The Meta-analysis result showed that infants who received oxygen therapy (pooled OR=4.61, 95%CI: 1.88–7.33), neonates with birth weight less than 1500 g (pooled OR=5.82, 95%CI: 2.89–8.75), and respiratory distress syndrome (pooled OR=3.92, 95%CI: 2.54–5.29) were factors associated with ROP. CONCLUSION: ROP is a significant public health concern in East Africa, affecting nearly one in five preterm infants. Policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize evidence-based interventions targeting the prevention and early detection of ROP to mitigate its long-term impact on childhood blindness.
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BibTeX
@article{ashebir2026retinopathy,
title = {{Retinopathy of prematurity among infants in East Africa: a systematic review and Meta-analysis}},
author = {Yohannes Godie Ashebir and Olyad Kuma Getahun and Gebeyehu Lakew and Mathewos Mekonnen Gemmechu and Mulualem Endeshaw Zeleke and Yibeltal Assefa Atalay and Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw and Eyob Ketema Bogale and Abiy Hailu Tikuneh and Abas Ali Hassen and Eyasu Alem Lake and Tadesse Nigussie and Bushra Bibi and Fikiru Yigezu Jaleta and Abebe Gedefaw Belete and Genanew Kassie Getahun and Kedir Seid and Chala Getaneh Jaleta and Sintayehu Samuel Lorato and Mitiku Desalegn and Dawit Tesfaye Rundasa},
journal = {International Journal of Ophthalmology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.18240/ijo.2026.11.18},
url = {https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2026.11.18},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Retinopathy of prematurity among infants in East Africa: a systematic review and Meta-analysis
AU - Yohannes Godie Ashebir
AU - Olyad Kuma Getahun
AU - Gebeyehu Lakew
AU - Mathewos Mekonnen Gemmechu
AU - Mulualem Endeshaw Zeleke
AU - Yibeltal Assefa Atalay
AU - Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw
AU - Eyob Ketema Bogale
AU - Abiy Hailu Tikuneh
AU - Abas Ali Hassen
AU - Eyasu Alem Lake
AU - Tadesse Nigussie
AU - Bushra Bibi
AU - Fikiru Yigezu Jaleta
AU - Abebe Gedefaw Belete
AU - Genanew Kassie Getahun
AU - Kedir Seid
AU - Chala Getaneh Jaleta
AU - Sintayehu Samuel Lorato
AU - Mitiku Desalegn
AU - Dawit Tesfaye Rundasa
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - International Journal of Ophthalmology
DO - 10.18240/ijo.2026.11.18
UR - https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2026.11.18
AB - AIM: To evaluate the pooled magnitude of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among infants’ populations in East Africa. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, and African Journals Online to identify studies from East African published up to August 2025 that reported the magnitude of ROP and its associated factors. The quality of the included cohort and cross-sectional studies was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects Meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled magnitude of ROP and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for associated factors, with results presented using 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the I² statistic, and subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to explore its sources. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included. The pooled magnitude of ROP in East Africa was 18% (95%CI: 13%–24%, I2=95.77%). The Meta-analysis result showed that infants who received oxygen therapy (pooled OR=4.61, 95%CI: 1.88–7.33), neonates with birth weight less than 1500 g (pooled OR=5.82, 95%CI: 2.89–8.75), and respiratory distress syndrome (pooled OR=3.92, 95%CI: 2.54–5.29) were factors associated with ROP. CONCLUSION: ROP is a significant public health concern in East Africa, affecting nearly one in five preterm infants. Policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize evidence-based interventions targeting the prevention and early detection of ROP to mitigate its long-term impact on childhood blindness.
SN - 2222-3959
SN - 2227-4898
ER -