Survey on the knowledge of age-related macular degeneration and its risk factors among Singapore residents.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the awareness of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its risk factors among Singapore residents.


METHODS
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based telephone survey was conducted to ascertain the awareness of AMD with regards to knowledge of the disease entity and possible risk factors among Singapore residents. A Singapore residential telephone directory was used to identify potential households by choosing the first and last entries on randomly selected pages. Respondents included individuals from households with landline telephone connection who were willing to participate in the study after a brief introduction about the study. Verbal consent was sought before proceeding with the interview. Interpreters were used for respondents whose ability to converse in English was limited. Prior to commencement of the study, the protocol was reviewed and approved by Ethics committee of the Domain Specific Review Board.


RESULTS
The interviewers contacted 796 subjects from different households, of which 520 participated (response rate, 65.3%). The age of the respondents ranged from 18 to 85 (median 41) years. Only 38 (7.3%) of them were aware of AMD, the majority of whom had completed secondary or higher education. Two hundred (38.5%) and 191 (36.7%) of the respondents considered age and smoking, respectively, to be risk factors for AMD.


CONCLUSIONS
The awareness of AMD among Singapore residents is low. AMD awareness needs to be improved by educational programmes designed for this specific purpose.
Sanjay
Srinivasan
S
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore. sanjay_s@alexhosp.com.sg
Neo
Hui Yee
HY
Sangtam
Tiakumzuk
T
Ku
Jae Yee
JY
Chau
Shirley Y M
SY
Rostihar
Abdul Karim
AK
Au Eong
Kah-Guan
KG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult