title: Knowledge and awareness of ocular allergy among undergraduate students of public universities in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ocular allergy is a growing public health problem that greatly impacts the day-to-day life of sufferers and their families. Other aspects of their activities of daily living such as schooling, professional, and social life are affected hence an increased awareness and knowledge of ocular allergies, their detection and treatment is paramount. This study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of ocular allergy among undergraduate students of public universities in Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among 1000 students from three selected public universities in Ghana. Each respondent completed a questionnaire that had questions concerning awareness and knowledge of ocular allergy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 1000 students, 347 (34.7 %) were aware of ocular allergy. Of these 347 students, the level of knowledge of ocular allergy was generally low. Majority of the students had their source of information about ocular allergy from the media and the internet. There was statistical significant association among awareness of ocular allergy, sources of information and programme of study (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Level of awareness among university students is generally low. Students' programmes of study influenced their knowledge of ocular allergy. Public health measures are recommended to help educate students on the prevention and control of ocular allergy as well as the complications associated with this condition.
authors: Department of Optometry, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape-Coast, Cape-Coast, PMB, Ghana. skyei@ucc.edu.gh.
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Kyei
authors: Department of Optometry, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape-Coast, Cape-Coast, PMB, Ghana.
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: Tettey
authors: Department of Optometry, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape-Coast, Cape-Coast, PMB, Ghana.|Refraction and Low Vision Clinic, Eye Center, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, P. O Box 1934, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors: Kofi
authors: K
authors: Asiedu
authors: Department of Optometry, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape-Coast, Cape-Coast, PMB, Ghana.
authors: Agnes
authors: A
authors: Awuah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015817:Eye Infections / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Allergen; Assessment; Conjunctivitis; Knowledge; Ocular allergy