Publication:

Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding visual impairment among adolescents in a rural area of Delhi

Background Visual impairment is a major public health issue which affects, academic performance, quality of life especially of adolescents. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding visual impairment among adolescents in a rural area of Delhi.

Methods It was a cross-sectional study conducted in an adolescent population of 748. The structured questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude and practices regarding visual impairment was used in the study population.

Results Around 45.98% of participants had heard terms like myopia, hypermetropia, or presbyopia. Awareness that low vision affects focus and concentration was seen in 46.39% participants. Only 64.3% believed that vision should be checked regularly, and 75.13% expressed willingness to undergo routine eye check-ups. There were some misconceptions that wearing glasses damage vision (8.68%). Around 25.4% had undergone visual check-up more than a year ago and only 10.42% wore their prescribed spectacles regularly.

Conclusions The study highlights some gaps in knowledge of the study participants. There were also some misconceptions about visual impairment and some inadequate practices were found.