• N Z Nwachukwu, D B Adeniyi, N B Amu, D C Nwachukwu, and C M Chuka-Okosa.
• Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
• Niger J Clin Pract. 2023 Feb 1; 26 (2): 177186177-186.

BackgroundGlobally, uncorrected refractive errors have been identified as the most common cause of visual impairment and the second leading cause of treatable blindness.AimThis study quantitatively and qualitatively assessed individual perception and self-care practice of refractive error (RE) in a rural community in Enugu State.Subjects And MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional, population-based survey was done in Amorji community, Enugu State. A pretested, researcher-administered questionnaire was used to interview the respondents on knowledge of causes, features and treatment of RE, their self-care practices, and attitudes toward RE. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were also carried out to qualitatively assess these parameters. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.ResultsA total of 522 adults, 307 (58.8%) males, and 215 (41.2%) females aged 43 ± 31.6 (range 18-83) years participated in the study. Of the participants, 235 (45.0%) had good knowledge of RE; 272 (52.1%) had positive attitude toward RE, while only 51 (9.8%) had good self-care practice. Educational status was significantly (p = 0.02) associated with participants' knowledge, attitude, and self-care practices. Good knowledge significantly (p = 0.001) influenced attitude and self-care practices among the participants. Results from FGDs and IDIs were in agreement with those obtained from the questionnaire-based part of the study.ConclusionThe participants from Amorji community had good knowledge of the features of RE but poor knowledge of its causes and treatment. They also exhibited positive attitude, but poor self-care practices toward refractive errors.

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