Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Health Care Staff about Glaucoma in Lomé
Open Access
- 1 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Scientific Research Publishing, Inc. in Open Journal of Ophthalmology
- Vol. 11 (02), 163-175
- https://doi.org/10.4236/ojoph.2021.112013
Abstract
Introduction: Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Early detection and awareness are essential to reduce the impact on eye health. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care staff about glaucoma in Lomé. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional and descriptive study including health care staff in Lomé, from October 1st to December 31st, 2020, for a period of 3 months. After their agreement, the officers responded to questions based on a survey sheet. Results: A total of 169 agents from 3 centers in Lomé, i.e. the Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, the Campus University teaching Hospital and the Bè Hospital were involved. 50.9% of the agents were male versus 49.1% female, i.e. a ratio of 1.04. The average age was 33.66 ± 10.45 years. 46.10% were doctors versus 53.90% paramedics. 58.60% had at most 5 years of experience against 41.40% who had more than 5 years of experience. 53.80% defined glaucoma as ocular hypertension while 17.20% defined it as optic nerve disease. 46.20% did not know that there were many types of glaucomas compared to 53.20% who knew that there are many types of glaucomas. 92.30% knew that glaucoma can lead to cause visual loss. Regarding attitudes and practices about glaucoma, 91.70% declared that the follow-up should be done by the ophthalmologist, 81.10% thought that it would be necessary to be checked by the doctor only every 6 months. Finally, 65.08% declared that they had to use eye drops for life for the treatment. Conclusion: Steps should be taken to educate staff more about glaucoma attitudes and practices and also plan for action in the population.Keywords
This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit:
- Glaucoma Awareness and Knowledge, and Attitude to Screening, in a Rural Community in Ebonyi State, NigeriaOpen Journal of Ophthalmology, 2016
- Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among hospital workers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin CitySahel Medical Journal, 2014
- Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among primary care givers in a developing countryAnnals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 2014
- Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among workers in a nigerian tertiary health care institutionMiddle East African Journal of Ophthalmology, 2013
- Knowledge, Attitudes and Self-care Practices associated with Glaucoma among Hospital Personnel in a Tertiary Care Center in North IndiaJournal of Current Glaucoma Practice, 2012
- Glaucoma awareness among people attending ophthalmic outreach services in Southwestern EthiopiaBMC Ophthalmology, 2010
- The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2006
- Awareness and knowledge of Glaucoma and other diseases associated with blindness in a Ghanian communityNigerian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2005
- Awareness of glaucoma, and health beliefs of patients suffering primary acute angle closureBritish Journal of Ophthalmology, 2003
- The definition and classification of glaucoma in prevalence surveysBritish Journal of Ophthalmology, 2002