Demographics of Patients Using Harmful/Traditional Eye Medications in Anya Specialist Eye Clinic, Umuahia, South East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Traditional eye medication (TEM) is common in Sub-Saharan Africa especially as it is part of the well practiced Traditional Alternate and Complementary Medicine. Despite several observed harmful effects and documented ocular morbidity from TEM, and the fact that the TEMs have no scientific background to their use, they are applied to the eyes as medication. This study is to look at the demographics of the patients with a history of TEM use presenting to a private clinic in South East Nigeria, with a view of targeted health education and promotion. Method: A retrospective review of patients' hospital records, seen in Anya Specialist Eye Clinic, Umuahia Abia State Nigeria, between January 2019 and June 2020 was done. Data from patients' records who self-reported to have used Harmful/Traditional Eye Medications before presentation at the clinic, during the period under consideration were selected, and their social/demographic characteristics extracted. Results: A total of 42 subjects with TEM use were recorded. There were 27 males (64.3%) and 15 females (35.7%) with age range from 0 to 70 years. Their educational levels were; no formal education (26.1%), primary (24%), secondary (28.5%) and tertiary (21.5%). More than 57% of the subjects were peasant farmers or unemployed, while 24%, 4.7%, 4.7% and 2.4% were traders, students, retired civil servants and teachers respectively. Conclusion: Farmers and unemployed subjects were more likely to use harmful TEM than other occupations. Surprisingly educational level did not significantly influence the rate of use of TEM.The assumption that individuals with higher educational status have a lower risk of TEM use may be erroneous. There should be an increase in awareness of the dangers of TEM use to the general public.