International Journal of Advanced Community Medicine
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International Journal of Advanced Community Medicine
Vol. 3, Issue 4, Part A (2020)

Knowledge of primary care physicians regarding eye trauma among children under age14 attending PHC, Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.

Author(s): Aljoharah Alshehri, Dr. Ghada Alarfaj and Mostafa Kofi
Abstract: Background: Pediatric ocular trauma is common, and can affect their development. Primary care physicians should be knowledgeable about eye trauma, able to recognize eye conditions that can lead to visual loss, thus requiring urgent referral to the ophthalmologist. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess primary care physician's knowledge regarding eye trauma among children in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey has been conducted among primary health care physicians in a primary healthcare center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a questionnaire that was developed and validated by the study authors. The questionnaire was then sent to the targeted physicians through WhatsApp and email.
Results: A total of 200 family physician participated, 51% of them were females. The mean (±SD) of the overall knowledge score was 15.03(±4.39) out of 22. The highest percentage (44%) of the respondents showed a good knowledge level (scored 50-75% correct answers), followed by 40% have excellent knowledge level (scored >75%), and 14.50% have poor knowledge level (score <50%). The knowledge score differed significantly (P <0.001) by age being higher among physicians aged ≥35 years compared to those aged <35 years at 17.50(±4.74) vs 14.56(±4.17), respectively. Also, the knowledge score was significantly the highest among physicians with experience of 5-10 years, those who dealt with a child with eye trauma with the 12 months prior study conduction, and those who experienced difficulties in dealing with a child patient with eye trauma at 16.68(±4.15), 16.78(±3.80), and 16.03(±4.23), respectively, with a P-value <0.001 in all cases.
Conclusion: Primary care physicians working at PSMMC primary care centers, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showed a good knowledge about eye trauma among children aged <14. The knowledge level significantly associated with physicians age, experience, history of dealing with a child with eye trauma, and difficult eye trauma cases.
Pages: 33-41  |  920 Views  388 Downloads
How to cite this article:
Aljoharah Alshehri, Dr. Ghada Alarfaj, Mostafa Kofi. Knowledge of primary care physicians regarding eye trauma among children under age14 attending PHC, Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.. Int J Adv Community Med 2020;3(4):33-41. DOI: 10.33545/comed.2020.v3.i4a.175
International Journal of Advanced Community Medicine

International Journal of Advanced Community Medicine


International Journal of Advanced Community Medicine
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