Knowledge, attitude, practice and associated factors towards spectacles use among adults in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia

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.

Attitudes and Beliefs of Undergraduate Students to Spectacle Wear in Ghana

“…The findings in that study showed that 6.7% of the 780 participants reported not using spectacles even if prescribed because; it made their eyes look small. Furthermore, that same research, in assessing practice of spectacles wear among participants revealed that 15.4% of respondents had more than one reason for using spectacles (near, distance vision, fashion and protections) 5 Another research by Adeoti 27 in determining the attitudes and beliefs towards spectacles wear reported that 18(23.68%) did not use prescribed glasses because they felt they would have sunken eyes. Adeoti's (2009) research also showed that some of the bad experiences such as, headache, and eye ache rather disappeared after spectacles were removed: a finding that was not consistent with the one in this study.…”

“…After further querying on the various methods of correcting refractive errors, 326 respondents claimed they knew at least one method of correcting refractive errors, with spectacles (38.5%) and contact lenses (25.9%) receiving majority of the 746 multiple responses. A study conducted by Desalegn et al 5 showed that educational status has an overall statistical association with knowledge about spectacles (overall P<0.001). In their study to determine knowledge, attitudes, practice and associated factors towards spectacles use among adults in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia, 90.6% of participants had adequate knowledge about spectacles.…”

“…Correction of refractive errors with spectacles is one of the most cost-effective measures to reduce the burden of avoidable visual impairment. 1,4,5 Wearing spectacles to correct refractive errors is integral to the improvement of vision, productivity and quality of life. However there are many psychosocial perceptions about the wearing of spectacles among people especially young adults.…”

Knowledge, attitude and associated factors among primary school teachers regarding refractive error in school children in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia

“…A related study was used for classification of study participants’ knowledge level. With a score of mean and above meant a good knowledge and poor knowledge for a score less than mean[ 24 ].…”

“…The responses were summed up and a total score was obtained for each respondent. The mean was calculated and those who scored above the mean value had favorable attitude and the ones who scored less than the mean value had an unfavorable attitude towards a refractive error in school children [ 24 ].…”