Cureus · 7 authors, 4 centres
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This cross-sectional study found that only 9.56% of 387 adults aged 40+ in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, had good knowledge about glaucoma, while 58.14% had poor knowledge. The only significant predictor of better knowledge was a personal diagnosis of glaucoma (p=0.04). These findings highlight a critical need for targeted educational interventions to improve glaucoma awareness in this population.
**Background:** Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting approximately 60 million individuals. Despite its prevalence, awareness and knowledge about glaucoma are often low, particularly in regions like Jazan, Saudi Arabia, where limited studies exist. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma and its associated risk factors among the adult population in the Jazan region.
**Methods:** A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among adults aged 40 years and above in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Using convenience sampling via social media platforms, 387 participants completed a self-administered electronic questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic questions, three awareness questions, and 16 knowledge questions covering risk factors, clinical features, types, and management of glaucoma. Knowledge scores were categorized as poor (<5), intermediate (5-10), or good (11-15) out of 15. Reliability testing showed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.88. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between knowledge levels and demographic variables, with significance set at p<0.05.
**Key Results:** The mean age of participants was 47.43 years, with 73.1% aged 40-50 years, 63.3% female, and 76.2% having a university education. Only 6.5% (n=25) had been diagnosed with glaucoma. Overall, 82.2% had heard of glaucoma, and 81.4% had undergone an eye examination. However, knowledge levels were poor: 58.14% had poor knowledge, 32.30% intermediate, and only 9.56% good knowledge. Regarding risk factors, 49.6% knew age increases risk, 43.7% knew high intraocular pressure, 41% knew diabetes/hypertension, 19.9% knew previous eye injury, and 15.0% knew family history. For symptoms, only 8.5% recognized all three (redness, pain, low visual acuity). For management, 55.8% thought glaucoma could be cured, and 24.5% recognized all three treatment options (eye drops, surgery, laser). There was no statistically significant association between knowledge and age (p=0.769), gender (p=0.283), residency (p=0.387), or education (p=0.387). The only significant association was with a personal diagnosis of glaucoma: 24% of diagnosed participants had good knowledge vs. 8.6% of non-diagnosed (p=0.04).
**Clinical Implications:** The study reveals a substantial knowledge gap about glaucoma in the Jazan region, with over half the population having poor knowledge despite high reported awareness. The lack of association with education level suggests that general educational attainment does not translate to glaucoma-specific knowledge. The significant association with personal diagnosis indicates that clinical encounters and health education from ophthalmologists may improve knowledge. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted public health campaigns, community-based educational programs, and enhanced patient education during eye examinations, particularly for high-risk groups such as older adults and those with chronic conditions like diabetes.