Knowledge on common ocular conditions and ocular health seeking behaviour among pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic (Anc) at Kawempe National Referral Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Refractive errors and ocular pathology can lead to permanent visual impairment and subsequent problems in overall development and school performance. Identification of congenital or early acquired pathology is a critical component of new-born care. Early identification and appropriate treatment of the pathologic conditions is essential to enable resumption of the visual development in the affected eye increasing its chances to see and interpret their environment better Knowledge of common eye conditions can play an essential role in reducing the visual impairment burden. Awareness of ocular diseases should not only aim for better understanding of the disease but also encourage people to better utilize available eye care services. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving the use of quantitative was carried out. The target population was pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Kawempe National Referral Hospital. A sample size of 300 women was selected using systematic sampling. The study was approved by the research ethics committee of the School of Health Sciences of Makerere University, permission granted by the Executive Director of Kawempe National Referral Hospital and written and verbal consent was obtained from the participants. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 20. Results were presented in tables, pie charts and graphs appropriately. Results: Most of the pregnant women knew about the common signs of ill eye health except squint(54%) and constant eye movement(53.3%), refractive errors(85%) except presbyopia(45.7%) and cataract disease(58%). Most did not know about amblyopia(77%). The eye care provided visited (X2 = 18.172, P-value = 0.002), the type of clinic (X2 = 12.325, P-value = 0.006) and reasons for visiting that type (X2 = 24.900, P-value = 0.041) were found to be significantly associated with the level of education the Pregnant Woman Attending ANC had attained. The type of clinic (X2 = 21.691, P-value = 0.040) and reasons for visiting that type (X2 = 22.072, P-value = 0.015) were found to be significantly associated with their occupation. The most cited barriers to proper eye care seeking behaviours were; eye care services being too expensive and unaffordable(64.2%), being located in distant urban areas only(43%), lack of perceived need for reasons like good vision(65%), traditional medicine(32.2%) and fear of receiving glasses(15%). Conclusion: Most of the pregnant women knew about the common signs of ill eye health except squint and constant eye movement, refractive errors except presbyopia and cataract disease. Most did not know about amblyopia. The eye care provided visited, the type of clinic and reasons for visiting that type are significantly associated with the level of education the Pregnant Woman Attending ANC had attained. They had a positive attitude towards regular eye examinations although they were not practicing this, mostly due to financial constraints