A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE OF DRY EYES AND DRY SKIN AMONG THE RURAL POPULATION ATTENDING OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT AT TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN WESTERN INDIA

Abstract

Objective: Assess the prevalence of dry eyes and dry skin in the rural population attending OPD and determine the association between dry eyes and dry skin. Methods: The study utilized a non-experimental descriptive analytical design with a quantitative retrospective approach. Patient records from the eye and skin OPDs at a designated tertiary teaching hospital were included in the analysis. The study period spanned from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. A total of 2000 patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. Results: The prevalence rate of dry eyes was found to be 67.8%, while the prevalence rate of dry skin was 79%. There was a strong positive correlation between dry eyes and dry skin (r = 0.74, p<0.05). The study also identified a significant association between dry eyes and dry skin (χ2 = 8.34, p = 0.0038). Gender showed a significant association with dry eyes (χ2 = 4.76, p<0.05), and age showed a significant association with dry skin (χ2 = 52.57, p<0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a higher prevalence of dry eyes and dry skin among the rural population attending OPD at tertiary teaching hospital in Western India. There is a significant positive association and correlation between dry eyes and dry skin. Gender and age were identified as demographic factors associated with dry eyes and dry skin.