Factors influencing eye-care seeking behaviour of parents for their children in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The eye-care seeking behaviour of parents for their children has a role to play in increasing or reducing the prevalence of childhood blindness. In Nigeria, little or no work has been done in this area. Hence, this study was carried out with a view to assisting eye-care professionals plan better program regimens and also to help them identify various elements that either facilitate or hinder eye-care seeking behaviour of parents for their school age children. METHODS: This was a qualitative narrative study. Data were collected using in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Thirty-five parents and 10 eye-care practitioners were selected by random sampling and homogenous sampling methods, respectively. Parents were selected, based on those who sought care and those who did not seek care for their children after a school screening exercise. Collected data were analysed qualitatively by transcribing the voice recordings of interview sessions into textual data and themes were raised. RESULTS: Four FGDs and 13 IDIs were conducted. Parents were more likely to seek care for manifest conditions than for conditions they could not perceive. A family history of ocular disease and repetitiveness of complaints facilitated parents to seek eye care for their children. The cost of eye-care services was a major barrier. Logistics such as fixing a doctor's appointment, getting time off work and long waiting periods at the clinic were also reported as barriers. Fear of treatment options and family interferences were also mentioned. CONCLUSION: Parents have some concerns and challenges in seeking eye care for their children. This study recommends that more work be done through planned awareness programs to educate parents and help them overcome the concerns and barriers that hinder them from seeking eye care for their children.

Parents’ awareness and perception of children's eye diseases in Nigeria / Concienciación y percepción de los padres sobre las enfermedades oculares infantiles en Nigeria

Purpose: Most causes of childhood blindness are treatable or preventable. Knowledge of parents’ awareness and perception of eye problems is important in helping to understand parents’ eye care seeking behavior. This understanding becomes necessary as early detection and intervention can be effective when done at an early age. Method: Study was carried out in Benin City, Nigeria. Thirty-five parents aged 38-54 years with a mean age of 43(±2) years were recruited. Twenty six were females and nine males. Ten eye care practitioners aged 30-45 years with a mean age of 40 (±2) were included. Seven were males and three were females. Data was analyzed qualitatively and in percentages. Results: Majority of parents were aware of common eye problems: Blurry vision (85.7%), measles in eye (48.5%), cataract (74.3%), conjunctivitis (48.5%), itching and redness (74.3%), crossed eyes (34.3%), strabismus (57.1%), short sightedness (48.5%) and stye or hordeolum (57.1%). Too much carbohydrate, night reading and too much TV were some of the reasons given for bad eyesight. Self-medication and use of local remedies for treatment of conjunctivitis was common practice (94.3%). Chloramphenicol eyedrop was the most common drug used for any eye problem before visiting a doctor (80.0%). Conclusion: Parents are aware of common eye diseases in children but have wrong perception of their causes. Programs to increase public awareness of causes of eye problems and harmful effects of self-medication are advocated for to expose inherent dangers (AU)

Objetivo: Muchas de las causas de la ceguera infantil son tratables o prevenibles. Conocer el grado de concienciación y percepción de los padres sobre los problemas oculares es importante para ayudar a comprender el comportamiento de los mismos en relación a la detección de problemas oculares. Esta comprensión es necesaria, ya que la detección e intervención pueden resultar efectivas cuando se realizan a una edad temprana. Método: El estudio se llevó a cabo en Benin City, Nigeria. Se seleccionó a treinta y cinco padres con edades comprendidas entre 38 y 54 años, con una edad media de 43(±2) años, de los cuales veintiséis eran mujeres y nueve varones. Se incluyó a diez oftalmólogos con edades comprendidas entre 30 y 45 años, con una edad media de 40 (±2) años, de los cuales siete eran varones y tres mujeres. Los datos se analizaron porcentual y cualitativamente. Resultados: La mayoría de los padres eran conscientes de los problemas oculares comunes: visión borrosa (85,7%), manifestaciones oculares de la rubeola (48,5%), cataratas (74,3%), conjuntivitis (48,5%), picazón y enrojecimiento (74,3%), bizquera (34,3%), estrabismo (57,1%), miopía (48,5%) y orzuelos (57,1%). El exceso de carbohidratos, lectura nocturna y televisión fueron algunos de los motivos aducidos para la mala visión. La auto-medicación y el uso de remedios locales para el tratamiento de la conjuntivitis constituyeron una práctica común (94,3%). Los colirios de cloramfenicol fueron los fármacos más comúnmente utilizados para cualquier problema ocular, antes de visitar al médico (80,0%). Conclusión: Los padres son conscientes de las enfermedades oculares comunes en los niños, aunque tienen una percepción errónea de sus causas. Proponemos la realización de programas para incrementar la concienciación pública sobre las causas de los problemas oculares y los efectos dañinos de la auto-medicación, para evitar daños inherentes (AU)

Parents' awareness and perception of children's eye diseases in Nigeria.

PURPOSE: Most causes of childhood blindness are treatable or preventable. Knowledge of parents' awareness and perception of eye problems is important in helping to understand parents' eye care seeking behavior. This understanding becomes necessary as early detection and intervention can be effective when done at an early age. METHOD: Study was carried out in Benin City, Nigeria. Thirty-five parents aged 38-54 years with a mean age of 43(±2) years were recruited. Twenty six were females and nine males. Ten eye care practitioners aged 30-45 years with a mean age of 40 (±2) were included. Seven were males and three were females. Data was analyzed qualitatively and in percentages. RESULTS: Majority of parents were aware of common eye problems: Blurry vision (85.7%), measles in eye (48.5%), cataract (74.3%), conjunctivitis (48.5%), itching and redness (74.3%), crossed eyes (34.3%), strabismus (57.1%), short sightedness (48.5%) and stye or hordeolum (57.1%). Too much carbohydrate, night reading and too much TV were some of the reasons given for bad eyesight. Self medication and use of local remedies for treatment of conjunctivitis was common practice (94.3%). Chloramphenicol eyedrop was the most common drug used for any eye problem before visiting a doctor (80.0%). CONCLUSION: Parents are aware of common eye diseases in children but have wrong perception of their causes. Programs to increase public awareness of causes of eye problems and harmful effects of self medication are advocated for to expose inherent dangers.