KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADULTS TOWARDS STRABISMUS IN GONDAR TOWN, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Strabismus/squint is an ocular misalignment in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. It is an avoidable cause of blindness, has a global prevalence which ranges from 2% to 6%. Knowledge of eye diseases is important in encouraging people to seek early treatment which further helps in reducing the burden of visual impairment. Studies in Ethiopia showed that the level of good knowledge and favorable attitude were 37% and 51.4% respectively. There is a lack of information regarding knowledge, attitude and related factors of strabismus in the study area and limited in Ethiopia at large. Objective: The aim of this study was to asses knowledge, attitude, and associated factors among adults, towards strabismus in Gondar town residents, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested structured questionnaire through face to face interview from April 17 to May 01, 2019. Using multistage random sampling 623 participants participated. Data from the entire questionnaire was coded, entered into Epi info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for processing and analysis. Binary logistic regression was fitted and variables with Pvalue

<0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression were considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 602 Study participants with a response rate of 96.63 % participated with a median age of 33 (IQR=14) years. Among the participants, 48% (95% CI: 43.5, 56.5) had good knowledge and 71.8% (95%CI: 68.3, 75.4) had a favorable attitude towards strabismus. Being a student (AOR=2.06, (95%CI: 1.10, 3.84) was positively associated while monthly income >5000 birr (AOR=0.48, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.81) was negatively associated with good knowledge. Being at secondary school level (AOR=2.97 (95% CI: 1.29, 6.85), heard about strabismus (AOR=4.90(95%CI: 2.39, 10.90) were positively and unemployed (AOR= 0.24(95% CI: (0.09, 0.64) were negatively associated with favorable attitude Conclusion: Almost half of the participants had good knowledge and most of them had a favorable attitude towards strabismus. Being a student and monthly income associated with good knowledge. Being at the secondary school level, heard about strabismus and unemployed was associated with a favorable attitude. Keywords: knowledge, attitude, strabismus, Gondar town, Ethiopia