Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Pediatricians for Eye Care of Children: A Personal Survey in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To review the level, determinants, and sources of knowledge (K), attitude (A), and practice (P) of pediatricians regarding eye care of children in Saudi Arabia in 2024.

Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, 120 pediatricians from central Saudi Arabia were invited to participate in a one-on-one study. A questionnaire included demographic and work profiles, 20 questions on knowledge, five on attitude, and five on practices. Responses were graded using a Likert scale. Median scores were associated with independent variables.

Results: We surveyed 113 pediatricians. The excellent knowledge, attitude, and practice grades were 78.8%, 30.1%, and 41.6% of participants, respectively. The knowledge score was not associated with any demographic variable. The attitude score was associated with the younger age group (P = 0.03), seniority (P = 0.001), and higher knowledge score (P = 0.01). The practice score was associated with females (P = 0.02) and hospitals with eye departments (P = 0.001), who underwent eye care training (P = 0.004), knowledge score (P < 0.001), and A score (P = 0.001). Reading journals, attending conferences, and eye care workshops were current sources of knowledge. However, the desired sources were eye care, which should be included in the curriculum, Google and PubMed searches, and interactions with ophthalmologists.

Conclusions: Pediatricians' high level of knowledge of eye care is promising. However, based on the demography variations noted, their attitude and practices need strengthening. Policies for eye screening and referrals from pediatricians to ophthalmologists may be discussed in conferences, workshops, and policy documents. Knowledge should be disseminated using the modes preferred by pediatricians.