Knowledge, attitude, and practice of parents of 3- to 5-year-olds regarding preschool vision and eye screening of kindergarten children in Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia—a survey
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Abstract
Purpose: To assess the level and determinants of knowledge, attitude, and practices for eye and vision screening of preschool children among parents in Qassim province of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: We surveyed parents of preschool children in the kindergarten of Qassim province of Saudi Arabia in 2023. Knowledge (10), attitude (5), and practice (5) related questions were asked. Five graded responses using Likert were obtained, associated with the demographic and refractive status of the family.
Results: We surveyed 214 parents. The level of knowledge was good + very good in 66.2%, the attitude was positive in 41%, and practice was acceptable in 72.2% of parents. The median knowledge score was 4.0 (IQR 3.5; 4.0), the attitude score was 3.0 (IQR 3.0; 4.0), and the practice score was 4.0 (IQR 3.0; 4.0). Education and family income were associated with practice scores (KW P <0.001). The refractive error status of the father was significantly associated with a positive attitude toward eye and vision screening of preschool children. (KW P = 0.015). Main sources of knowledge included ophthalmologists (49.5%), social media (16.4%), google search (10.7%), and optometrists (10.7%). The preferred sources of knowledge were ophthalmologists (60.3%) and optometrists (22.4%). Social media, computers, PHC staff, and opticians were less desired sources of information.
The knowledge about eye and vision screening of children among parents has scope to improve, and negative attitudes need to be addressed. Practice for eye care in their preschool children was promising for adopting universal preschool vision initiatives.
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