Knowledge, attitude and practice towards glaucoma among ophthalmic inpatients: a cross-sectional study in Hunan, China.

OBJECTIVES

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy caused by the gradual degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards glaucoma among ophthalmic inpatients.

DESIGN

A web-based questionnaire.

SETTING

Local hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Ophthalmic inpatients (n=1238).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the patients' KAP.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that rural residence (OR=0.488, 95% CI 0.313 to 0.762, p=0.002), college education or above (OR=4.996, 95% CI 2.942 to 8.483, p<0.001) and a history of glaucoma surgery (OR=3.511, 95% CI 2.234 to 5.520, p<0.001) were independently associated with good knowledge. The knowledge scores (OR=1.592, 95% CI 1.461 to 1.734, p<0.001), high or technical school education (OR=1.911, 95% CI 1.037 to 3.523, p=0.038), college education or above (OR=2.402, 95% CI 1.045 to 5.522, p=0.039) and a history of glaucoma surgery (OR=1.993, 95% CI 1.041 to 3.816, p=0.037) were independently associated with positive attitude. The multicollinearity tests showed no collinearity among the variables included in the multivariable models.

CONCLUSIONS

Ophthalmic inpatients might have moderate knowledge and attitude, but a proactive practice towards glaucoma. A history of glaucoma, previous glaucoma surgery, education level, residency and alcohol consumption were potentially associated with knowledge and attitudes towards glaucoma among ophthalmic inpatients.