Do Saudi parents have sufficient awareness of pediatric eye diseases in Riyadh?

PURPOSE

The current study aimed to assess Saudi parents' awareness regarding pediatric eye diseases that can be screened and treated.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Targeted participants were selected randomly. An online questionnaire was used for data collection. A Chi-ANOVA test was used with considering a confidence interval of 95%.

RESULTS

Of 1500 participants, 1070 (71%) Saudi adults responded. Most of the participants' knowledge test score about eye health and care was poor (91.9%). The majority of those who had acceptable knowledge were married with 94.3%. Knowledge about the eye problem in diabetes was the highest with 82.8%, then 54.3% had acceptable knowledge about eye emergencies, general eye health with 36.5%, and 26.2% for refractive error problem, whereas knowledge about strabismus, visual deprivation, glaucoma, and eye tumors was lowest (18.9, 16.1, 10.6, and 9.6%, respectively). The most commonly reported sources of knowledge were community members. Those who were at the university level of education had a higher level of acceptable knowledge (64.4%) with a mean of 5.63. Retired participants had the highest mean level of knowledge (7.25). After that, it showed that those in the medical field had the second highest mean level of knowledge (6.55). However, students recorded the lowest mean knowledge score with 2.47.

CONCLUSION

The current study found evidence of a lack of awareness among parents about common pediatric eye diseases and proper eye care behaviors. Therefore, awareness programs should be targeting both parents with a focus on mothers. The higher the educational level, the higher the chances of health awareness.