Knowledge, attitudes and eye care seeking practices regarding trachoma in Central Division of Kajiado County, Kenya


Submitted: 4 February 2015
Accepted: 2 March 2016
Published: 31 March 2015
Abstract Views: 2153
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Authors

  • Arthur S. Ng'etich Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Moi University, Kenya.
  • Claudio Owino Department of Surgery and Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Moi University, Kenya.
  • Ahmad Juma Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Moi University, Kenya.
  • Kevin N. Khisa Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Moi University, Kenya.
Trachoma is responsible for the visual impairment of about two million people worldwide, out of which a majority are irreversibly blind. The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and eye care seeking practices of the community regarding the available trachoma eye care services. Community members aged eighteen and over participated. Descriptive cross-sectional study design was adapted. Data analysis was performed using Stata. The level of awareness of trachoma disease in the study area was high (95%). About three quarters (71%) of the respondents were knowledgeable of the available trachoma eye care services. A majority had a positive attitude towards the available services and expressed need for the services. Public health facilities were mostly preferred. The study concluded that the community was knowledgeable of the available trachoma eye care services and had a positive attitude towards the services. Concerned stakeholders should reinforce the positive attitudes through community based educational programs and improve eye care seeking practices through community participation in education and outreach services.

Ng’etich, A. S., Owino, C., Juma, A., & Khisa, K. N. (2015). Knowledge, attitudes and eye care seeking practices regarding trachoma in Central Division of Kajiado County, Kenya. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2015.531

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