Original Research Myopia awareness and knowledge among parents in Kumasi Metropolis and Bekwai Municipality

Sylvester Kyeremeh, Percy K. Mashige, Kovin S. Naidoo

About the author(s) Sylvester Kyeremeh, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Percy K. Mashige, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Kovin S. Naidoo, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Despite parents’ pivotal role in myopia mitigation, published studies investigating parental awareness and knowledge are limited in Ghana.
Aim: Assess parental awareness and knowledge of myopia and related factors to mitigate myopia progression.
Setting: Participants were parents from the Kumasi Metropolis and Bekwai Municipality in the Ashanti region of Ghana.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Participants were selected through a double-staged cluster sampling.
Results: Of 747 participants, 500 (66.93%), reported no prior information about myopia, while 247 (33.07%) indicated awareness. Most of those aware (n = 182, 93.81%) demonstrated adequate knowledge. Predictors of awareness included male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 0.534, p = 0.023), training college (OR = 11.041, p < 0.001) and university education (OR = 21.536, p < 0.001), lower monthly income (Ghanaian cedi [Gh¢] 500.00 – Gh¢999.00; OR = 0.389, p = 0.038) and difficulty seeing afar (OR = 1.90, p = 0.023). Knowledge correlated with male gender (p = 0.036), monthly income (p < 0.001), type of work (p = 0.046) and age group (p = 0.042). Community-based approach was most preferred for myopia awareness creation.
Conclusion: There was low myopia awareness but adequate knowledge levels, which significantly correlated with demographic factors. Community-based approach was the preferred myopia awareness creation mode.
Contribution: The study provides insight into parental perspectives on myopia and reveals the preferred mode of myopia awareness and education in the Ghanaian context.

Keywords

myopia; parental awareness; parental knowledge; refractive errors; parental perception; awareness creation; myopia awareness; myopia knowledge

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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