Knowledge of Health Staff About Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) in Gagnoa

Abstract

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is an anterior optic neuropathy, of chronic and progressive course, characterized by papillary and campimetric alterations. It is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Its insidious evolution, without clinical manifestation perceived by the patient, is inexorably towards irreversible blindness. Early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent this fatal outcome. All health personnel should be a relay of awareness and communication on priority and especially potentially blinding diseases such as glaucoma. This chronic pathology has an impact both on the individual and on society as a whole, as it affects young adults in professional activity. Thus it acts on the productivity of the latter who constitute the working population of a nation. From these facts arise the interest of a good knowledge of the warning signs by a greater number of medical personnel in order to quickly direct patients to specialists for adequate care. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of knowledge of the disease and to determine its epidemiological and clinical characteristics among the health personnel working at the Gagnoa General Hospital. At the end of the study, the lack of knowledge of glaucomatous pathology by medical staff was highlighted. Community awareness, systematic screening of subjects from quarantine, ongoing training of medical staff on glaucomatous disease that will help reduce the prevalence of glaucomatous blindness.