Knowledge, attitude and practice towards myopia among parents of primary school students: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Myopia is a common visual condition that requires proper management and prevention strategies, especially among children.

Objective: To investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards myopia among parents of primary school-age children.

Design: Cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire.

Participants/setting: A total of 552 parents of primary school-age children participated in the study, which was conducted at a primary school in Wuxi City, China, between October and November 2022.

Intervention: No intervention was applied; the study was observational, collecting data through questionnaires.

Main outcome measures: KAP scores regarding myopia among parents.

Statistical analyses performed: Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associations between demographic factors and KAP scores.

Results: Mean scores for KAP were 8.38±2.29 (theoretical minimum-maximum: 0-12), 25.01±2.79 (theoretical minimum-maximum: 6-30) and 26.37±3.96 (theoretical minimum-maximum: 6-33), respectively. Higher education, income, personal and child myopia and having two children were associated with better knowledge. Parental female gender, higher income, myopia and age 33-44 years were associated with positive attitudes. Better attitudes and having a child in the fourth grade were associated with proactive practices.

Conclusions: Parents of primary school-age children showed positive attitudes and proactive practices but had inadequate knowledge about myopia. Targeted health education programmes for parents with lower education and income levels could be recommended to improve knowledge and maintain positive attitudes towards myopia management.