Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Ophthalmology 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

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

Authors: Alemayehu Desalegn, Asamer Tsegaw, Destaye Shiferaw, Haile Woretaw

Published in: BMC Ophthalmology | Issue 1/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Refractive 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.

Methods

Community 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.

Result

A 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.

Conclusion

Gondar 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.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Pamke J, Williams C, Ximenes L, Ximenes D, Palanui A, de Toit R, et al. A public-private partnership to provide spectacles for Timor-Leste. J Community Eye Health. 2002;20(63):54. Pamke J, Williams C, Ximenes L, Ximenes D, Palanui A, de Toit R, et al. A public-private partnership to provide spectacles for Timor-Leste. J Community Eye Health. 2002;20(63):54.
2.
go back to reference Faderin MA, Ajaiyeoba AI. Barriers to wearing glasses among primary school children in Lagos, Nigeria. Niger J Ophthalmol. 2001;9(1):15–9. Faderin MA, Ajaiyeoba AI. Barriers to wearing glasses among primary school children in Lagos, Nigeria. Niger J Ophthalmol. 2001;9(1):15–9.
3.
go back to reference Yawn BP, Kurland M, Butterfield L, Johnson B. Barriers to seeking care following school vision in Rochester, Minnesota. J School Health. 1998;68(8):319–24.CrossRefPubMed Yawn BP, Kurland M, Butterfield L, Johnson B. Barriers to seeking care following school vision in Rochester, Minnesota. J School Health. 1998;68(8):319–24.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Brien AH, Sylvie S, Kylie K. The challenge of providing spectacles in the developing world. J Community Eye Health. 2000;13(33):9–10. Brien AH, Sylvie S, Kylie K. The challenge of providing spectacles in the developing world. J Community Eye Health. 2000;13(33):9–10.
7.
go back to reference Olurin O. Refractive errors in Nigeria (A hospital clinic study). Ann Ophthalmol. 1973;5:971–6.PubMed Olurin O. Refractive errors in Nigeria (A hospital clinic study). Ann Ophthalmol. 1973;5:971–6.PubMed
8.
go back to reference Nworah PB, Ezepue UF. Prevalence of errors of refraction in a Nigerian eye clinic. Orient J Med. 1992;4:57–60. Nworah PB, Ezepue UF. Prevalence of errors of refraction in a Nigerian eye clinic. Orient J Med. 1992;4:57–60.
9.
go back to reference Thulasiraj RD, Aravind S, Pradhan BK. Spectacles for the Millions Addressing a priority of “Vision 2020 - The Right to Sight”. J Community Ophthalmol. 2003;3(4):19–21. Thulasiraj RD, Aravind S, Pradhan BK. Spectacles for the Millions Addressing a priority of “Vision 2020 - The Right to Sight”. J Community Ophthalmol. 2003;3(4):19–21.
10.
go back to reference Potter AR. Providing spectacles in developing countries. Millions endure poor vision for want of affordable glasses. Biomed J. 1998;317(7158):551–2. Potter AR. Providing spectacles in developing countries. Millions endure poor vision for want of affordable glasses. Biomed J. 1998;317(7158):551–2.
11.
go back to reference Chawla K, Rovers J. Survey of patient opinions on eyeglasses and eye care in rural and slum populations in Chennai. The Internet J of Epidemiol. 2009;8(2):5. Chawla K, Rovers J. Survey of patient opinions on eyeglasses and eye care in rural and slum populations in Chennai. The Internet J of Epidemiol. 2009;8(2):5.
12.
go back to reference Du Toit R, Ramke J, Palagyi A, Brian G. Spectacles in Fiji: need, acquisition, use and willingness to pay. Clin Exp Optometry. 2008;91(6):538–44.CrossRef Du Toit R, Ramke J, Palagyi A, Brian G. Spectacles in Fiji: need, acquisition, use and willingness to pay. Clin Exp Optometry. 2008;91(6):538–44.CrossRef
13.
go back to reference Dandona R, Dandona L, Kovai V, Giridhar P, Prasad MN, Srinivas M. Population-based study of spectacles use in Southern India. Community Eye Care. 2002;50(2):145–55. Dandona R, Dandona L, Kovai V, Giridhar P, Prasad MN, Srinivas M. Population-based study of spectacles use in Southern India. Community Eye Care. 2002;50(2):145–55.
14.
go back to reference Department of Ophthalmology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. Beliefs and attitude towards spectacles Osogbo, Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract. 2009;12(4):359–61. Department of Ophthalmology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. Beliefs and attitude towards spectacles Osogbo, Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract. 2009;12(4):359–61.
15.
go back to reference Omolase CO, Mahmoud AO. Factors associated with non-compliance with spectacle wear in an adult Nigerian population. Afr J Biomed Res. 2009;12(1):43–6. Omolase CO, Mahmoud AO. Factors associated with non-compliance with spectacle wear in an adult Nigerian population. Afr J Biomed Res. 2009;12(1):43–6.
Metadata
Title
Knowledge, attitude, practice and associated factors towards spectacles use among adults in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia
Authors
Alemayehu Desalegn
Asamer Tsegaw
Destaye Shiferaw
Haile Woretaw
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Ophthalmology / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2415
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-016-0357-3

Other articles of this Issue 1/2016

BMC Ophthalmology 1/2016 Go to the issue