- Visibility 167 Views
- Downloads 165 Downloads
- Permissions
- DOI 10.18231/j.ijceo.v.11.i.3.25
-
CrossMark
Influence of sociodemographic factors on parental awarness, attitude and practices in pediatric eye health – A questionaire based study
- Author Details:
-
Pratheekshaa Thirunavukkarasu
-
Shankar Chokkalingam *
-
Shinisha Paul Bravian
-
Sruthi Guttikonda
-
Poornamuki S
Pratheekshaa Thirunavukkarasu
Shankar Chokkalingam *
Shinisha Paul Bravian
Sruthi Guttikonda
Poornamuki S
Background: Pediatric eye health is a crucial but often neglected aspect of child well-being, heavily influenced by parental awareness and practices. This study assessed these factors among parents in Chengalpattu district, exploring the impact of demographic and socioeconomic variables.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 260 parents of children aged 1 month –12 years attending pediatric care at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression.
Results: Female parents showed better awareness than males (OR = 1.752, p = 0.028). Higher education was linked to greater awareness, while illiterate parents were least informed (OR = 9.79, p < 0.001). Low awareness was also noted among nuclear families (OR = 2.81), low-income groups (OR = 3.15), and parents of single children (OR = 2.59). Barriers included reliance on home remedies (33.6%) and societal stigma against glasses (59.3%). However, 63.8% valued early detection and intervention.
Conclusion: Parental awareness of pediatric eye care is shaped by education, income, and family structure. While support for professional care exists, misconceptions persist. Targeted educational programs are needed, especially for fathers and disadvantaged families, to improve pediatric eye health outcomes.
References
- Pascolini D, Mariotti SP. Global estimates of visual impairment:
- Br J Ophthalmol. 2012;96(5):614–8.
- Solebo AL, Rahi J. Epidemiology, aetiology and management of visual impairment in children. Arch Dis Child. 2014;99(4):375–9.
- Alrasheed SH, Naidoo KS, Clarke-Farr PC. Prevalence of visual impairment and refractive error in school-aged children in South Darfur State of Sudan. Afr Vis Eye Health. 2016;75(1):1–9.
- Flaxman SR, Bourne RR, Resnikoff S, Ackland P, Braithwaite T, Cicinelli MV, et al. Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990–2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2017;5(12):e1221–34.
- Bourne RR, Flaxman SR, Braithwaite T, Cicinelli MV, Das A, Jonas JB, et al. Magnitude, temporal trends, and projections of the global prevalence of blindness and distance and near vision impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2017;5(9):e888–97.
- Naidoo KS, Wallace DB, Holden BA, Minto H, Faal HB, Dube P. The challenge of uncorrected refractive error: driving the agenda of the Durban Declaration on refractive error and service development. Clin Exp Optom. 2010;93(3):131–6.
- Alrasheed SH, Alghamdi WM. Parents’ awareness of and perspectives on childhood refractive error and spectacle wear in Saudi Arabia. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2022;22(4):532–8.
- Alrasheed SH, Naidoo KS, Clarke-Farr PC. Childhood eye care services in South Darfur State of Sudan: Learner and parent perspectives. Afr Vis Eye Health. 2016;75(1):1–3.
- World Health Organization. Preventing blindness in children: report of a WHO/IAPB scientific meeting, Apr 1999. Available from: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/66663
- Gilbert C, Foster A. Childhood blindness in the context of VISION 2020: the right to sight. Bull World Health Organ. 2001;79(3):227–
- Ayanniyi AA, Olatunji FO, Mahmoud AO, Ayanniyi RO. Knowledge and attitude of guardians towards eye health of primary school pupils in Ilorin, Nigeria. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2010;17(1):1–5.
- Sukati VN, Moodley VR, Mashige KP. Knowledge and practices of parents about child eye health care in the public sector in Swaziland. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med. 2018;10(1):1–3.
- Aldebasi Y. Young public’s awareness to refractive error deficiency. Int J Health Sci. 2011;5(1):9–15.
- Alrasheed SH, Naidoo KS, Clarke-Farr PC. Attitudes and perceptions of Sudanese high-school students and their parents towards spectacle wear. Afr Vis Eye Health. 2018;77(1):1–7.
- Chawla K, Rovers J. Survey of patient opinions on eyeglasses and eye care in rural and slum populations in Chennai. Int J Epidemiol. 2009;8(2):1–5.
- Kodjebacheva GD, Maliski S, Coleman AL. Use of eyeglasses among children in elementary school: perceptions, behaviors, and interventions discussed by parents, school nurses, and teachers during focus groups. Am J Health Promot. 2015;29(5):324–31.