Assessment of level of awareness about children eye diseases and routine eye screening among a sample of Egyptian general population

Abstract

Assessment of the level of awareness and attitude among parents and the determinants regarding eye diseases and visual impairments in their children focusing on the importance of early screening of children to avoid amblyopia and its complications. Our study was a cross-sectional analytical study that included 368 participants in Egypt. A pre-tested self-administered (screen) e-questionnaire was used to collect data from the study participants via social media (Facebook and WhatsApp) groups. Parents’ knowledge about squint, refractive errors, and nasolacrimal duct obstruction was considered high (89.03%, 77.31%, and 59.98%, respectively), while knowledge about amblyopia, cataract, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and glaucoma was considered low (58.98%, 38.53%, 36.91%, and 34.41%, respectively). The attitude concerning going for regular eye screening, wearing spectacles, and undergoing ophthalmic surgery when needed was positive in 35.3%, 77.31%, and 65.2% of parents, respectively. Physicians, social media, and friends were reported to be the preferred sources for acquiring knowledge (78%, 40.2%, and 26.9%, respectively). Participants with higher education, working individuals, and medical professionals had statistically significant higher knowledge scores about childhood eye diseases. The levels of awareness about common pediatric eye problems and the importance of early eye screening among parents were reported to be unsatisfactory. Physicians and social media as preferred sources for gaining knowledge could be used for health promotion in our community.