Background: Globally, uncorrected refractive errors have been identified as the most common cause of visual impairment and the second leading cause of treatable blindness.
Aim: This study quantitatively and qualitatively assessed individual perception and self-care practice of refractive error (RE) in a rural community in Enugu State.
Subjects and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, population-based survey was done in Amorji community, Enugu State. A pretested, researcher-administered questionnaire was used to interview the respondents on knowledge of causes, features and treatment of RE, their self-care practices, and attitudes toward RE. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were also carried out to qualitatively assess these parameters. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results: A total of 522 adults, 307 (58.8%) males, and 215 (41.2%) females aged 43 ± 31.6 (range 18-83) years participated in the study. Of the participants, 235 (45.0%) had good knowledge of RE; 272 (52.1%) had positive attitude toward RE, while only 51 (9.8%) had good self-care practice. Educational status was significantly (p = 0.02) associated with participants' knowledge, attitude, and self-care practices. Good knowledge significantly (p = 0.001) influenced attitude and self-care practices among the participants. Results from FGDs and IDIs were in agreement with those obtained from the questionnaire-based part of the study.
Conclusion: The participants from Amorji community had good knowledge of the features of RE but poor knowledge of its causes and treatment. They also exhibited positive attitude, but poor self-care practices toward refractive errors.
Keywords: Perceptions; refractive error; self-care practice.