title: Awareness and Perception of Strabismus Among the Youths And Women of Child-Bearing Age in a Local Government in South Western Nigeria: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: Purpose To determine the level of awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of strabismus among youth and women of child-bearing age in southwestern Nigeria. Methodology Fifteen Focus Group Discussions were carried out in Ogun State Nigeria on awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of people toward strabismus. A thematic phenomenological approach was used for the analysis. Results A total of 139 people participated in the Focus Group Discussions, with a male:female ratio of 1:∼4. Although there was a fairly high level of awareness of strabismus in the populace, their attitudes and perceptions of the disease were poor, based on unfounded fears and misconceptions of the disease. Conclusions We conclude that the negative perception and acceptance of people with strabismus by the people in southwestern Nigeria is based on poor knowledge of the disease. As a result, the stigma attached to the condition appears to interfere with accessing health-care services for treatment.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology Unit, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olubunmi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bodunde
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Paediatrics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Tamramat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Runsewe-Abiodun
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adekunle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alabi
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Environmental Management, Ikenne Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adetunji
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Paediatrics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olowonyo
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Medicine, Olabisi Onanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bolanle
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adefuye
keywords: Nigeria; attitudes; perceptions; stigma; strabismus