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Awareness and knowledge of ocular manifestation in COVID-19 patients among health care workers (HCWs) in Central India

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Original Article

Author Details : Kanishk Singh*, Puja Bang, Rajesh Pattebahadur, Amrita Singh

Volume : 8, Issue : 2, Year : 2022

Article Page : 228-232

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijceo.2022.046

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Abstract

Aim: To know the awareness and knowledge of ocular manifestation in COVID-19 patients among health care workers (HCWs) in central India
Materials and Methods: A web-based survey, cross-sectional study was conducted to obtain responses from health care workers (HCWs) in central India from the month of May – July 2020 to access the awareness and knowledge of ocular manifestation in COVID 19 patients among HCWs in central India. This survey was divided into three parts: (i) Participant characteristics (ii) awareness / knowledge of COVID-19 disease (iii) awareness / knowledge regarding ocular manifestation of COVID 19 patients and their source of information. Knowledge regarding ocular manifestation of the disease was assessed by questions focusing on COVID-19 signs / symptoms and risk in eyes, its transmission, and prevention. Ethical clearance was taken and electronic informed consent was taken and confidentiality of each person was maintained throughout the study.
Results: A total of 408 healthcare workers participated in the study, in which approximately 59.06% (n = 241) of males and 40.94% (n= 167) females, majority of them belong to urban area 74% (n= 302). Most of the HCWs 39.9% were between 35-44 years of age, in which 51.71% (n = 211) were Doctors, 35.04% (n =143) were nursing staff and 6.61%, 1.47% were hospital attendant and sanitary workers respectively Almost all participants (n=408) had heard about COVID-19, out of which 92.15% agreed that corona patients can recover completely. The study reviled that most of HCWs had good knowledge about the disease and its transmission. However, 336 (82.35%) HCWs were aware that the disease can also affect the eye and 278 (68.13%) accepted that it can cause conjunctivitis. The study revealed that 193 doctors (91.46%), 120 (83.91%) nursing staff and only 23 allied health workers (42.59%) thought that COVID-19 can affect eyes. In which (n=119) 56.39% doctors, (n=61) 42.65% nursing staff, and only (n=19) 35.18% allied health care workers believed that corona can spread through tears. Most doctors (n=165, 78.19%) agreed that COVID 19 can cause conjunctivitis, Which was not same in the case of nursing staffs and other allied Health care workers. Hence, there was a knowledge gap between doctors and other HCWs regarding ocular manifestation of COVID-19 disease.
Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the HCWs were aware about the disease (COVID-19) and had good knowledge about the general condition of the disease but participant’s knowledge regarding ocular manifestation of the disease was comparatively less, though most of the HCWs agreed that COVID-19 could also affect the eyes.
 

Keywords: Corona, Morbidity, Tears, Transmission.

How to cite : Singh K, Bang P, Pattebahadur R, Singh A, Awareness and knowledge of ocular manifestation in COVID-19 patients among health care workers (HCWs) in Central India. Indian J Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2022;8(2):228-232

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