Abstract
BackgroundRefractive error is the main cause of visual impairment in the world. Spectacles are the most frequently used options for correcting refractive errors. In addition, they can be used for protection and fashion. It is the simplest, cheapest and only method used in developing countries like Ethiopia. This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitude, practice and associated factors towards spectacles use among adult population of Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity based cross sectional study was conducted on 780 participants using a pre-tested structured questionnaire in Gondar. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20 version computer software. Association and strength between variables was determined using odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval.ResultA total of 780 study subjects participated in this study. The male to female ratio was 1:2.4. The median age of the participants was 29 (±22 IQR) with a range of 18–86 years. About fifty percent of participants were married and 284 (36.4 %) were educated up to secondary school. Seven hundred and three (90.6 %) participants had adequate knowledge about spectacles and 90.4 % had favorable attitude towards spectacle use. About 25 % of the participants have been using spectacles during the study. Participants with primary school education (AOR: 2.79, 95 % CI 1.20–6.50) had good knowledge about spectacles. Housewives (AOR = 3.40, 95 % CI; 1.35–8.54) and participants who unable to read and write (AOR: 3.51, 95 % CI 14–10.72) had favorable attitude towards spectacles use.ConclusionGondar town adult population has adequate knowledge and favorable attitude towards spectacles. However, practice of spectacles use is poor. Eye health education related to spectacles utilization need to be given due emphasis by eye care professionals in collaboration with University of Gondar and Gondar town administration.
Highlights
Refractive error is the main cause of visual impairment in the world
Eye health education related to spectacles utilization need to be given due emphasis by eye care professionals in collaboration with University of Gondar and Gondar town administration
Refractive error is a common cause of visual impairment and blindness and It is estimated that 2.3 billion people lives with refractive errors worldwide [4, 5]
Summary
Refractive error is the main cause of visual impairment in the world. Spectacles are the most frequently used options for correcting refractive errors. Refractive error is a common cause of visual impairment and blindness and It is estimated that 2.3 billion people lives with refractive errors worldwide [4, 5]. Majority of those with refractive errors could have their sight restored with spectacles, it is only 1.8 billion have access to eye examinations and affordable correction. This leaves approximately 500 million people, mostly in developing countries (close to one-third are in Africa) and many children, with uncorrected refractive error which exposes them to blindness and impaired vision. In the above 50 years, at least 80 % of them require spectacle corrections for near vision [9]
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