Evaluation of Spectacle Compliance Among Secondary School Students in Kaduna State

Spectacle non-compliance is a recognized challenge in pediatric optometry, limiting the effectiveness of optical corrections for refractive errors among young patients. This study evaluates the rate and determinants of spectacle compliance among secondary school students diagnosed with refractive errors in Kaduna State, located in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone. A descriptive survey research design will be used, targeting students aged 10 to 18 years who have received spectacle prescriptions from registered optometry clinics within the last two years. Three hundred students will be recruited through purposive sampling across six secondary schools in the Kaduna South and Kaduna North local government areas. Data will be collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire assessing awareness of refractive errors, perceived benefits of spectacle use, peer influence, and parental support. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be applied. Preliminary indications suggest that stigma, affordability, and aesthetic concerns are the primary barriers to compliance. Findings will contribute to the evidence base for designing school-based vision care campaigns tailored to the socio-cultural context of northern Nigeria. Recommendations will target school administrators, parents, and government health officers to create enabling environments for consistent spectacle use. This work advances pediatric optometry practice in the North West zone by grounding intervention strategies in empirical, community-specific data. Keywords: spectacle compliance, refractive errors, secondary school students, Kaduna, pediatric optometry