Awareness of Common Eye Conditions among the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) Workers in the Rural Communities of Udupi District- A Pilot Study

Abstract

Purpose: To develop and validate the questionnaire and to translate it to the local vernacular language, Kannada. To assess the level of awareness and knowledge about common eye conditions among the ASHA workers in the rural communities of Udupi district. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on32 ASHA (Accredited Social Health Care Activists) workers of age ranging from 32-48 years (SD + 3 years) from January 2019 to April 2019. This study was presented and approved by the Institutional Research Board, (Manipal College of Health Professions) and written consents were taken from the subjects. A validated questionnaire was used in this process. Beforehand this questionnaire was developed from the conclusion of a structured focus group discussion comprised of vision science experts. The phase and content validation proceeded. This validated questionnaire was used to elicit the responses from the ASHA workers of Udupi district, India. This structured questionnaire consisted of questions from refractive errors, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, pink eye or madras eye, common stye and retinopathy of prematurity. Responses were analysed by calculating the percentage. Having heard of the eye disease in question was defined as ‘‘awareness’’ and having some understanding of the eye disease was defined as ‘‘knowledge’’. Results: A total of 32 ASHA workers from Udupi district were included in the study with the mean age of 40±5 years. The awareness about myopia was 100% (32), hyperopia 87.50% (28), presbyopia 28.12% (9), cataract 96.87% (31), diabetic retinopathy 100% (32), glaucoma 71.87% (23), pink eye or madras eye 71.87% (23), common stye 18.75% (6) and retinopathy of prematurity 40.62% (13). Conclusion: The results indicate that the study population had a high level of awareness about eye diseases, but their knowledge of the diseases was still limited. Very less awareness about common style, presbyopia, and retinopathy of prematurity. ASHA workers require a lot more awareness and knowledge about common eye diseases which can be improved by conducting health care programs and giving them training.