The present study aims to explore knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 and level of satisfaction with efforts to halt the further spread of the disease among patients visiting eye hospitals in province number 2, Nepal. All eligible patients (n = 1112) presenting during the study period were interviewed using a validated semistructured questionnaire. The level of awareness was significantly associated with educational attainment and district of residence. Different myths and misconceptions regarding COVID-19 were prevalent. Preventive practices against the pandemic were observed by less than 50% of the participants and it varied significantly by education and the district of residence. Health education and behavior change communication (BCC) campaigns are necessary in the eye hospitals in province 2 to improve the knowledge level, address prevailing negative attitudes, and promote preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies in eye hospitals in other provinces in Nepal are required.
Background: This study was conducted to identify knowledge, attitude and practice of the public in relation to eye health and to assess their knowledge of eye health seeking behaviour.Methods: A three-stage cluster survey was conducted in 15 selected districts of the five development regions of Nepal from May to December 2017.One hundred clusters and fifty households from each cluster were randomly selected. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed in English and translated into Nepali and back translated by experts. Data were entered in CSPro 5.0.3 software and imported to R 3.4.1 software for analysis.Results: Three fourth of respondents were between the age of 20-59 years (84 %) and one third were female (37.4%). 78% of respondents had basic knowledge about ocular diseases (ranging from 68 to 95%). No single method was found to be more appropriate than the other to provide eye health education to the people living in different geographical locations. Radio was more appropriate to provide health education in Doti and television in Saptari district. Around 2% of the people still depended on drug retailers, 0.6% on self-medication and 0.1% on traditional healers for treatment. Conclusions: The knowledge, attitude and practice of the respondents varied between various districts and with different demographic characteristics. The overall knowledge, attitude and practice score and respondent’s knowledge about common eye diseases requires improvement. Different methods can be used to educate public about eye health and common eye diseases.Keywords: Attitude; eye care; knowledge; Nepal; practice; services.
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