Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding COVID-19 Ocular Manifestations in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Ocular manifestations, such as conjunctivitis, redness, and tearing, were reported in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To investigate the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice about the ocular manifestations of COVID-19 and protective eye measures among the general population in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over two months with 800 participants from the general population and a 39-item online structured validated questionnaire using Google Forms. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS program version 20 and a P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results and Discussion: Among the participants (n = 800), 71.9% were females, 50% were highly educated, and 61.8% had moderate incomes. The overall mean total knowledge score was 25.185 ± 3.774, with significant differences regarding age group, gender, and income. Most of the Saudi residents with high monthly incomes, especially females, were knowledgeable regarding the ocular manifestations of COVID-19 (25.0957 ± 3.4311). The average total knowledge, attitude, and practice score was 42.1419 ± 4.833, which was average (medium level), with significant differences regarding age group, gender, and income; a high mean was obtained from the age group >50–60, females, and high-income class. Conclusion: Detailed information about the epidemiology of COVID-19 and an understanding of emerging related health issues, such as ocular manifestations, should be empowered to the public while considering the least knowledgeable groups.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Towards Hand Hygiene of Optometry Students Pre- and Peri-COVID-19 at a Tertiary Institution in Johannesburg, South Africa

“… 2 Research conducted in the fields of Optometry and Ophthalmology as it relates to hand hygiene practices is limited. When assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) only, more information is available and these include that of contact lens use in South Africa; 3 medical students using contact lenses; 4 KAP of contact lens users towards contact lens wear in Ghana; 5 KAP related to COVID-19 among patients presenting at eye care hospitals in South India; 6 KAP regarding COVID-19 ocular manifestations in Saudi Arabia; 7 KAP related to ocular prophylactic measures taken by medical students during COVID-19; 8 KAP related to the assessment of childhood ocular disorders among primary health care workers (HCW’s) in Kenya 9 and KAP related to hospital acquired infection (HAI) prevention in Northern Ethiopia. 10…”