ABSTRACT
To obtain baseline data and assess the level of awareness and attitudes towards glaucoma among rural communities of Osun State, Nigeria. This was a community-based study that involved interviews and descriptive cross-sectional analysis. Serial-recruitment was performed of consenting participants who presented at a community-based screening service in March 2011. Socio-demographic data and information about glaucoma were obtained through face-to-face semi-structured questionnaires. The study population comprised 259 respondents [mean age 49.73 +/- 16.6 years; range 18 to 90 years]. There were 159 females [61.4%]. Skilled workers were the most common 130/259 [50.3%] participants. Only 41 [15.8%; 95% CI: 11.4-20.2] participants had ever heard of glaucoma. Sources of information were from visits to an eye clinic for 21/41 [51.2%; 95% CI: 35.9-66.5] participants and 15/41 [36.6%] participants who know someone with glaucoma. Reponses to the causes of glaucoma included 20/41 [48.8%; 33.5-64.1] participant who said 'I don't know' and 24.4% of participants who responded 'curse-from-God'. Responses to questions on treatment included 20/41 [48.8%] participants who responded 'I don't know how it can be treated' and 10/41 [36.6%] said 'medically'. Thirty 30/41 [73.2%] participants would refuse surgery, half of them because 'it cannot cure or reverse the disease' while [26.7%] would refuse out of 'fear'. Only 8/41 [19.5%; 95% CI: 7.4-31.6] would accept surgery for maintenance. Statistically significant predictors of glaucoma awareness were older participants, males and skilled workers [teachers] [P = 0.028, P = 0.018, P = 0.0001, respectively]. The outcomes of study indicate a low level of awareness of glaucoma. Health education at all levels of health and eye care services is required to prevent ocular morbidity and irreversible blindness from glaucoma.