Knowledge, attitudes, and self care practices associated with glaucoma among hispital workers in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the level of correct knowledge about glaucoma and attitudes towards blindness prevention and treatment, and how these factors influence self care practices among teaching hospital workers. A random sample of the workers at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria was interviewed. All respondents were asked the year of their last visit within the past one year to an eye care practitioner. A total of 205 members of staff were interviewed; 85 (41.5%) were males and 120 (58.5%) females. Female sex (P=0.003), medical profession (P=0.007), ophthalmic specialty (P=0.0001), secondary or tertiary education (P=0.001), and recent visit to an eye practitioner (P=0.012) were significant predictors of knowledge of glaucoma as a blinding disease. Younger people believed blindness prevention and treatment were the highest priorities compared with other diseases. Those who work in the ophthalmic unit and those who had relatives who had been blind from glaucoma also considered blindness treatment to be the highest priority compared with other diseases. People with a relative that had previous diagnosis of glaucoma (P=0.0001), older people (P=0.003), females (P=0.001), and people with correct knowledge of common eye diseases (P=0.0005) were significantly more likely to be under eye care. No interaction was found between knowledge and positive attitudes to self care practices. In conclusion, this study shows that there is a gap in the knowledge and understanding of glaucoma among Nigerian hospital workers, especially among the non-medical staff. There is therefore a need for eye health promotion activities targeting all workers at primary healthcare facilities.