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Assessing eye health knowledge and practices amongst primary health care nurses in a rural district, South Africa .

New research · Ophthalmology

F1000Research · 1mo

Cross-sectionalF1000Research· 2024

Assessing eye health knowledge and practices amongst primary health care nurses in a rural district, South Africa .

Lwandile Flatela, Zamadonda N Xulu-Kasaba

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Community Eye HealthCross-sectionalClinical practiceQ3IF 1.9

Most rural primary health care nurses could not correctly measure a patient's visual acuity

Assessing eye health knowledge and practices amongst primary health care nurses in a rural district, South Africa .

Lwandile Flatela, Zamadonda N Xulu-Kasaba

F1000Research · 2024 · Q3 in General Medicine

Background

The burden of visual impairment and avoidable blindness has been attributed to the shortage and poor distribution of adequately trained eye care personnel.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate primary health care nurses' knowledge and practices on eye health.

Methods

A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural district of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa.

n = 172

94% (n=188)

Results

94% (n=188)

nurses tested could not correctly check a patient's eyesight/vision

n = 172

More results

From 200 responses, 86.4% (n=172) were females of the African race.

Most (93.5%, n=187) had never undergone formal training in eye care.

Only 28% (n=56) correctly identified a mature cataract while 28% (n=56) correctly identified signs of glaucoma; the global leading causes of preventable blindness.

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Conclusion

Primary health care nurses showed poor knowledge and practices of common eye conditions. There is an urgent need for eye health training for primary health care nurses, and the clear management protocols on eye care.

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