Haddad Mera F, Khader Yousef
Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Allied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan.
Int J Ophthalmol. 2022 Nov 18;15(11):1729-1735. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2022.11.01. eCollection 2022.
To investigate knowledge, risk perception, and attitude towards corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and infection control measures among optometrists in Jordan.
A cross-sectional survey was distributed through social media platforms to optometrists registered with the Jordanian syndicate and Jordanian association of optics. Information on participants' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of clinical features of COVID-19, risk assessment and infection control measures for preventing disease transmission were collected.
A total of 135 optometrists (80 females and 55 males) with a mean age of 32±10y responded to the survey. Most optometrists were aware of COVID-19 symptoms, modes of transmission and measures for preventing COVID-19 and transmission in the ophthalmic setup. However, more than half of the optometrists did not receive any training about protection or infection control by their employers at their work place. Social media was the most common source of information on COVID-19 (76%). Most optometrists (85.2%) thought that the virus could be detected in tears, and 45.9% thought that red eye is a symptom of COVID-19.
Optometrists in Jordan are aware of the clinical features and preventive measures related to COVID-19 infection. However, training on infection control is lacking and needs to be improved. Guidelines by international professional optometric associations should be promoted through regional and national associations to all registered optometrists and access to peer review. Journals should be encouraged to ensure that the knowledge about the pandemic is up to date and accurate.
调查约旦验光师对2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）的知识、风险认知、态度以及感染控制措施。
通过社交媒体平台向在约旦辛迪加和约旦光学协会注册的验光师开展横断面调查。收集了参与者的社会人口统计学特征、COVID-19临床特征知识、疾病传播风险评估及感染控制措施等信息。
共有135名验光师（80名女性和55名男性）回复了调查，平均年龄为32±10岁。大多数验光师了解COVID-19症状、传播方式以及眼科环境中预防COVID-19及其传播的措施。然而，超过一半的验光师在工作场所未接受雇主提供的任何关于防护或感染控制的培训。社交媒体是关于COVID-19最常见的信息来源（76%）。大多数验光师（85.2%）认为可在泪液中检测到该病毒，45.9%认为红眼是COVID-19的症状。
约旦的验光师了解与COVID-19感染相关的临床特征和预防措施。然而，缺乏感染控制培训且需要改进。国际专业验光协会的指南应通过地区和国家协会向所有注册验光师推广并提供同行评审。应鼓励期刊确保有关该大流行病的知识及时且准确。
