Knowledge, Attitude Practice Study of Retinopathy of Prematurity amongst Pediatricians attending a Neonatal Ventilation Workshop in South India

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice patterns (KAP) of pediatricians about retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: We administered a questionnaire to pediatricians, prior to a talk on ROP, in a neonatology ventilation workshop. Questions included finding information about their educational and practicing profile, knowledge of screening guidelines, risk factors for ROP, referral facilities and barriers for referral. Results: A total of 38 pediatricians participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 35.83 ± 7.2 years, 86.8% of them were men. All participants (100%) knew about the risk factors for ROP. 97.4% (37/38) of the participants knew about the ROP screening guidelines and 68% (26/38) knew about the laser treatment for ROP. Only 29% (11/38) knew the composition of dilating drops to be used for preterm babies and 53% (20/38) had an established referral program for ROP. The barriers for ROP screening expressed by pediatricians, included ‘parents not willing’, by 7/38 of the participants(18.4%); 'unaware of referral facilities' by 6/38 of the participants (15.8%) and ‘too expensive’ by 5/38 of the participants (13.1%). Regarding barriers for ROP screening, ‘parents not willing’ reason was expressed by 18.4% (7/38), ‘unaware of referral facilities’ by 15.8% (6/38) and ‘too expensive’ by 13.1% (5/38) of the participants. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that a large majority of pediatricians at a neonatology ventilation workshop were aware of the science of ROP but had less information of ROP service delivery and treatment modalities. The study suggests the need for creating awareness and close coordination between pediatricians and ophthalmologists to address the barriers for screening and service delivery for ROP. This will facilitate taking the science from books and journals to the bedside of the premature neonates and help in reducing needless blindness due to untreated ROP.