BACKGROUND

Cataract is the major cause of reversible blindness and visual impairment in developing countries. It has been assumed that there is poor access to information related to the cause, prevention, and treatment of cataract in developing countries. There is also a paucity of data on knowledge and attitude towards cataract in Ethiopia.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of cataract and their associated factors among adults in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Southern Ethiopia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 623 adults from February 6 to April 16, 2020. The study participants were selected by the multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected with a pre-tested structured questionnaire by using face-to-face interviews. The data were entered into Epi info version 7.2 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at a p-value less than 0.05 in multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 623 total participants, 54.9% of them had good knowledge about cataract, while 37.9% of them had favorable attitude about cataract. Inability to read and write (AOR=0.104, 95% CI: 0.042-0.258), primary school educational level (AOR=0.208, 95% CI: 0.091-0.478), secondary school educational level (AOR=0.199, 95% CI: 0.088-0.451), earning average monthly income 350-820 Ethiopian birr (AOR=2.364, 95% CI: 1.277-4.373), not having previous eye examination (AOR=0.605, 95% CI: 0.425-0.861) and unavailability of eye clinic (AOR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.446-0.945) were significantly associated with knowledge of cataract. No history of cataract (AOR=0.257, 95% CI: 0.157-0.418) was significantly associated with attitude towards cataract.

CONCLUSION

Significant portion of participants had poor knowledge and an unfavorable attitude towards a cataract. So, it is recommended that stakeholders in different hierarchies need to exert efforts on creating awareness about cataract by considering the education level of the community. Moreover, attention should be given to the availability and accessibility of the primary eye care unit.