Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: This study was conducted to assess the level of glaucoma awareness and knowledge among people in Aden, and to show the effect of age, sex, education level, occupation and residency on the awareness of glaucoma.

Methods: Community–based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in Aden Governorate, during the period November 2021 – February2022. Five hundred participants, aged 24 years old and more, were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information on person’s demographics, awareness and knowledge of glaucoma. Data were recorded and analyzed using SPSS program-20.

Results: Out of the five hundred participants, 316 were females. Overall; 84% were aware of glaucoma, and showed statistically significant association between awareness and their education, occupation and residency. However, there was no statistically significant association between awareness and the sex or various age groups. The main source of information was the relatives. The highest percentage (67.1%) of the aware group reported that glaucoma can result in blindness. Increased intraocular pressure, increased age and diabetes were the main risk factors chosen by the participants.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a high level of awareness of glaucoma among people in Aden but inadequate knowledge about it. Health education programs should be activated at all levels of health and eye care services to increase knowledge about glaucoma to prevent the irreversible loss of vision due to the second main cause of blindness worldwide.

Keywords: Glaucoma, Awareness, Knowledge, Aden.

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