Knowledge and health beliefs of ocular manifestations, complications, and treatment of sickle cell disease in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study
Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a common genetically inherited disorder in Saudi Arabia. While recent advances in SCD treatment have provided new insight into the disease pathogenesis and early detection of further complications, such as ocular complications, a significant number of p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Hail Journal of Health Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/hjhs/Pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=1658-8312;year=2022;volume=4;issue=1;spage=12;epage=16;aulast=Abuallut |
| Summary: | Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a common genetically inherited disorder in Saudi Arabia. While recent advances in SCD treatment have provided new insight into the disease pathogenesis and early detection of further complications, such as ocular complications, a significant number of populations are unaware of the adverse health impact of SCD on the eyes, and its prevention and prevention and management strategies. This study aimed to investigate people's awareness of SCD's effect on the eye and vision, as well as the variables that affect that awareness. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jazan among SCD patients. An online self-administered questionnaire was disseminated to the participants. The constructed questionnaire included many sections to achieve the purpose of the study. The first section is for a collection of participants' demographic data and SCD status. The second section was for awareness of the ocular complications of SCD, whereas the third section was for knowledge about the different methods of treating SCD retinopathy. All results were analyzed at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The participants demonstrated a high awareness of SCD. About 42.8% of the participants were aware that SCD could affect body organs, including the eyes. About two-thirds of the participants (62.6%) did not know that blindness can be preventable. Whereas, 42.8% were aware that SCD retinopathy could be treated, and almost half of the participants, (48%) were unaware that ocular trauma is more dangerous in SCD patients than in normal people. The education level influenced the participants' knowledge, whereas participants with higher educational levels had more knowledge (P = 0.020). Conclusion: Despite the high level of awareness of SCD among the Saudi population, less percentage were aware of the effect of SCD on the eyes. There was no association between gender and level of awareness of SCD, whereas education level determined the awareness of SCD's adverse impact on the eyes, prevention, and treatment. |
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| ISSN: | 1658-8312 1658-8592 |