title: Glaucoma awareness, knowledge, perception of risk and eye screening behaviour among residents of Abokobi, Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although glaucoma is the lead cause of irreversible blindness globally, the condition shows no signs or symptoms until later stages. Knowledge about the disease is known to influence utilization of eye screening services. This study aimed at understanding knowledge and perception of risk for glaucoma, as well as eye screening behaviour among residents of Abokobi, a peri-urban community.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study that employed quantitative data collection methods, with the use of a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about glaucoma and eye screening behaviour. Also, associations between socio-demographic factors and awareness as well as perception of risk were analysed using Chi-square test or Univariate Fisher's exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of a total of 300 respondents, 60.3 % were females and 39.3 % were aware of glaucoma. Majority (99.1 %) of respondents aware of glaucoma also agreed the disease can result in blindness with only (28 %) affirming that blindness from glaucoma is irreversible. Nearly half (49.7 %) of the respondents perceived themselves to be at risk of developing glaucoma. The results showed that age and education (p <0.0001) were statistically significant with glaucoma awareness. Approximately, 20.7 % of the respondents have had their eye screened with just a few (4.3 %) screening for glaucoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although glaucoma awareness was high, the findings display inadequate knowledge about glaucoma. There is a need to effectively inform and educate people about the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana. nunana2009@live.com.
authors.forename: Virtue Fiawokome
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: De-Gaulle
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dako-Gyeke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Abokobi; Eye screening; Ghana; Glaucoma; Knowledge; Perception