Knowledge and attitude of youth towards contact lenses in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Back Background ground Surveys have shown that contact lenses are common optical correction devices used worldwide and they are particularly popular among the youth. However, not much is known about the knowledge and attitude of youth towards contact lenses in Pakistan. This study targeted to assess the approach of youth in Karachi towards contact lenses and whether the differences noted in approach was simulated by gender. Methods Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in September 2018, using convenience sampling and interviewed 400 individuals, aged 16-25, to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practices towards contact lenses. The respondents were asked about their knowledge and its source. Attitudes were assessed by asking participants opinions, while practice question mainly focused on the recent (up to 1 month) use of contact lenses and their experience. Chi-square test was applied to cross-tabulate gender with knowledge, attitude, and practices of youth towards contact lenses.

Prevalence and Knowledge of Contact Lens Uptake in Kenya: A Retrospective Study

“…Participants were educated up to secondary school levels with most of them unemployed and without income. The finding in this study is supported by other global trends in similar studies as shown in a study in Calabar Nigeria on Contact lens, (27) and another study Irfan et al, (2019) reported from Karachi, Pakistan that also showed more females of age 16 to 25 years. (40) Other studies were done in Malaysia with the female to male ratio of 7:1 and all students of age 20 to 25 years.…”

“…The finding in this study is supported by other global trends in similar studies as shown in a study in Calabar Nigeria on Contact lens, (27) and another study Irfan et al, (2019) reported from Karachi, Pakistan that also showed more females of age 16 to 25 years. (40) Other studies were done in Malaysia with the female to male ratio of 7:1 and all students of age 20 to 25 years. ( 14) Similar trends were observed in Ghana, Spain, Turkey, India and Saudi Arabia from where studies on contact lenses were reported.…”

“…The Goan study in contradiction to this study stated that 59% did not know about contact lens at all, while this study showed that only 19.2% and 2.5% did not know and were not sure of contact lens. Tchiakpe et al, (2017), confirmed good knowledge of contact lens 95.8%, Tajunisah and his team also reported good knowledge of contact lens among medical students in Malaya and in Karachi Pakistan a good knowledge (97.0%) of contact lens was reported to (14,35,40) disagreeing to this study showing 78.3%.…”

“…This is considerably low compared to other Asian countries like China (17%), Korea (16%), Malaysia (25%) and Singapore (35%). (39, 25,40) In a study conducted in Iran on awareness and attitude to refractive error correction methods Moghaddam et al, (2013), found out that 80.3%, 87% and 71% of participants knew nothing about contact lens application, cosmetic contact lenses and therapeutic contact lenses respectively. The study focused on practitioners in the prescription and dispensing of contact lenses.…”