Knowledge and awareness about optometry profession among rural versus urban population in Eastern India: a survey-based study

Authors

  • M. Zakaria Midya Zylux Corporations Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • Salal Khan Department of Optometry, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1269-3428
  • Priti Chandra Halder Department of Optometry, Haldia Institute of Management, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • Riju Ghosh Department of Optometry, Diamond Harbor Medical College and Hospital, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India
  • Arsalan Mudassar Department of Optometry, Pailan College of Management and Technology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • Arna Mitra Department of Optometry, JIMS Hospital and Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • Shreya Kundu Department of Optometry, Vivekanand Mission Asram Netra Niramay Niketan, Haldia, India
  • Manisha Maity Department of Optometry, Haldia Institute of Management, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • Swarnali Pal Department of Optometry, Haldia Institute of Management, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20221188

Keywords:

Optometry, Eye-care services, Primary eye-care, Optometrist

Abstract

Background: The main purpose of this study was to determine the awareness of optometry and to create awareness of optometry among rural and urban population of Kolkata.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among rural and urban population. A total of 671 participants- male=378 and female=293, were enrolled in this study. An amplified self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants through a survey camp.

Results: Out of 671 subjects, (328 rural and 343 urban subjects), 62 (18.9%) and 166 (48.3%) (95%, CI: 1.93-1.88) were know about optometry in rural and urban population respectively. 4.9% and 14% (95%, CI: 1.97-1.94) did knew the difference between optometrist and ophthalmologists, while in participants opinion optometrist is assistant of ophthalmologist was 3.4% and 1.5% (95%, CI: 2.69-2.61) in rural and urban participants respectively. However, 18.2% (rural) and 32% (urban) (95%, CI: 2.31-2.17) participants think that optometrist is trained in detection and recognition of eye diseases while 22.6% and 26.8% (95%, CI: 3.20-3.02) thinks they can prescribe spectacles and contact lens independently in rural and urban participants respectively. All factors mentioned were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) with the Chi square and ANOVA test in SPSS version 21.

Conclusions: These findings seem to indicate lack of awareness and knowledge about optometry profession. There is a need to increase campaign in these areas via educational programs, awareness survey camp, a poster explaining the eye care, social media regarding eye care provider’s duties and practices, exhibitions for public concerning the profession of optometry.

Author Biography

Salal Khan, Department of Optometry, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Optometry, M.Opt Scholar

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Published

2022-04-26

How to Cite

Midya, M. Z., Khan, S., Halder, P. C., Ghosh, R., Mudassar, A., Mitra, A., Kundu, S., Maity, M., & Pal, S. (2022). Knowledge and awareness about optometry profession among rural versus urban population in Eastern India: a survey-based study. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 10(5), 1132–1138. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20221188

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Original Research Articles