title: A follow-up survey on the knowledge of age-related macular degeneration and its risk factors among Singapore residents after 5 years of nation-wide awareness campaigns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To re-evaluate the awareness of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and knowledge of its risk factors among Singapore residents after 5 years of awareness campaigns.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based telephone survey (modified from the AMD Alliance International Global Report), conducted in Singapore in 2011. Participants were randomly selected using the Global Yellow Pages Singapore residential listings 2009/2010. Awareness of AMD and its risk factors was assessed among participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1773 Singapore residents contacted over the telephone, 559 participated (31.5% response rate). The mean age of participants was 43.1 years (range 21-85 years). A total of 157 participants (28.1%) were familiar with AMD. Among these, the number who correctly identified the risk factors were: smoking, n = 132 (84.1%); ageing, n = 123 (78.3%); lack of vitamins/nutrients, n = 121 (77.1%); genetics, n = 101 (64.3%); unprotected light exposure, n = 100 (63.7%) and; sex, n = 62 (39.5%). Participants aged >50 years (prevalence rate ratio, PRR 2.23, confidence interval, CI, 1.31-3.81) or who had undergone an eye test within the previous year (PRR 2.61, 95% CI 1.79-3.82) were more familiar with AMD, while females (PRR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.98) were less familiar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported awareness of AMD among Singapore residents increased four-fold from 7.3% in 2006 to 28.1% in 2011 following 5 years of awareness campaigns. Participants who were >50 years or had undergone an eye test within the previous year were more aware of AMD while female participants were less aware of AMD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital , Singapore .
authors.forename: Srinivasan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanjay
authors.forename: You Chuen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Hui Ting
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.forename: Shu Xuan
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Serene Hui Fang
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Toh
authors.forename: Ming Hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Khong
authors.forename: Anna C H
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: Kah-Guan
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Au Eong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; awareness; singapore