Assessing Cataract Awareness and Public Health Implications in Amuwo-Odofin and Alimosho Local Government Areas of Lagos State: A Cross- Sectional Study

Authors

  • Izehi S. Akhimen Medical Department, PharmaSymbiosis Nigeria Limited, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • Samuel G. Odegbo Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacist Group Research Hub, Nigeria.
  • Qudus A. Abiola Department of Pharmacy, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • Ruqoyat Hassan-Sodiq Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacist Group Research Hub, Nigeria.
  • Deborah O. Shomuyiwa Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacist Group Research Hub, Nigeria.
  • Saidat M. Bakare Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacist Group Research Hub, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51412/psnnjp.2024.36

Keywords:

Cataract, Cross-sectional study, Amuwo-Odofin, Alimosho, Public Health
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Abstract

Background: Cataracts are the second leading cause of visual impairment and the first of blindness  globally. Despite its high prevalence and impact, there is a dearth of studies on the awareness of cataracts and its public health impact in Nigeria. The study aimed to assess the awareness of cataracts and their public health implications in the Amuwo-odofin and Alimosho Local government areas of Lagos State.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered structured questionnaire to collate data from General Hospital and Ikotun Market in Alimosho Local Government Area as well as the Nigeria Navy Reference Hospital in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos state.

Results: The study had 162 participants, mostly between 40 and 49 (49.4%). The majority of the participants were females (53.3%). Nearly half (48.8%), of the study participants have tertiary education. In this study, 64.7% of participants have heard about cataracts at some point and 52.2% are aware that cataracts involve the cloudy vision of the eyes.

Conclusion: Cataract remains the primary cause of treatable blindness highlighting the need for awareness through public health campaigns. While the majority of the participants have good knowledge about cataracts, a knowledge gap regarding cataract risk factors and prevention was identified. Therefore, public health campaigns are necessary to address these knowledge gaps.

Author Biographies

Izehi S. Akhimen, Medical Department, PharmaSymbiosis Nigeria Limited, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacist Group Research Hub, Nigeria.

Samuel G. Odegbo, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacist Group Research Hub, Nigeria.

Medical Department, Zolon Healthcare Limited, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Ruqoyat Hassan-Sodiq, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacist Group Research Hub, Nigeria.

Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ilorin, P.M.B 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Deborah O. Shomuyiwa, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacist Group Research Hub, Nigeria.

Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Saidat M. Bakare, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacist Group Research Hub, Nigeria.

Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

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Published

2024-11-04

How to Cite

Akhimen, I. S., Odegbo, S. G., Abiola, Q. A., Hassan-Sodiq, R., Shomuyiwa, D. O., & Bakare, S. M. (2024). Assessing Cataract Awareness and Public Health Implications in Amuwo-Odofin and Alimosho Local Government Areas of Lagos State: A Cross- Sectional Study. The Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy, 58(2), 396–404. https://doi.org/10.51412/psnnjp.2024.36