Glaucoma awareness among tertiary health care workers in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background:Glaucoma is second only to cataract as the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world. The devastating effect of this disease is often neglected. Most people with glaucoma are usually unaware that they have the disease until significant loss of vision has occurred. 

Objectives: The aim of the study is to establish the level of awareness to glaucoma among staff of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional descriptive study conducted as part of glaucoma awareness campaign to mark the World Glaucoma Week. The entire staff of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital that voluntarily consented to the study were recruited. A structured questionnaire was designed and administered in the clinic during the screening exercise. 

Results: A total of 285 participants were recruited. The ratio of male (M) to female (F) was 1.4:1. The most frequent age group was 40-49. Glaucoma awareness was found to be 60.4% .The sources of awareness of glaucoma were 41.8% from doctors, 29.7% from news media and 14.0% from nurses. A total of 40.7 % know that glaucoma can cause blindness and 32 % know that glaucoma blindness is irreversible. 

Conclusion: In this study the awareness of glaucoma is high. Further studies to determine the knowledge and adverse affect of glaucoma on vision are advocated.