Undetected glaucoma among hospital workers poses a significant risk of preventable vision loss within the healthcare workforce, potentially impacting the delivery of care. The purpose of this study was to assess the medical and non-medical hospital workers’ knowledge, attitude and self-care practice regarding glaucoma. In a hospital-based cross-sectional study, a stratified random sample of 401 hospital workers, including 206 (51.4%) medical and 195 (48.6%) non-medical personnel, were administered a structured knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire on glaucoma. Differences in glaucoma knowledge among staff cadres were compared using the Chi-square test. The predictors of KAP were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Glaucoma was defined by respondents as blindness (26.9%), raised intraocular pressure (24.7%), and optic nerve damage (9.5%). Common risk factors identified were hypertension (87.9%), diabetes (86%) and positive family history of glaucoma (80.8%). Only 8.0% believed that early diagnosis and treatment could prevent blindness. Strikingly, 70.1% of hospital workers had never undergone an eye examination. Workers (68.6%) would rather use medications than accept surgery, adding adjunctive modalities like prayers and traditional medicines were reported by 58.9% of the workers. Medical personnel demonstrated greater knowledge of glaucoma (p < .001) and were more likely to accept surgical intervention (p = .003). Good knowledge of glaucoma, positive attitude and good self-care practice were reported by 2.5%, 10.7% and 14.4% of the workers. Secondary level educational was predictive of positive attitude (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.60-7.03, P= .001), non-medical cadre was predictive of poor glaucoma practice (OR 0.22. 95% CI 0.10-0.48, p<.001) while a visit to the ophthalmologist was predictive of good glaucoma practice (OR 19.92, 95% CI 8.78-42.94, p<.001). All hospital personnel should be re-educated about the potential blinding effect of glaucoma. The need for timely, regular, comprehensive glaucoma evaluation and the adoption of early, appropriate management is advocated.
Thelma Imaobong Ndife (Fri,) studied this question.