Boniface Ikenna Eze|Obiekwe Okoye|Emmanuel N. Aguwa
Public’s knowledge of the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists: a critical issue in eye care service utilisation
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital|University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital|University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
aim assess publics knowledge differences ophthalmologists optometrists identify factors associated knowledge methods study populationbased random survey adults aged 18 years older conducted enugu south eastern nigeria march june 2011 data respondents sociodemographics clinical profile knowledge differences ophthalmologists optometrists collected using 28item questionnaire data analysed using descriptive analytical statistics values p005 considered statistically significant results respondents n394 comprised 198 males 196 females sex ratio1011 aged 1870 309108 years majority respondents single 574 possessed secondary education 969 employed 652 health insurance 774 clinical profile showed previous eye exam 541 spectacle wear 416 contact lens wear 56 multivariate analysis participants good knowledge differences ophthalmologists optometrists significantly associated educational status 032 95 ci 023044 p00001 0988 employment status 18 95 ci 145225 p00001 0124 previous eye examination 163 95 ci 129207 p00001 0549 conclusion participants sociodemographic clinical characteristics important predictors good knowledge findings may implications stakeholders eye care delivery need knowledge enhancement government eye care providers populationbased eye health literacy campaigns