Older Adults Knowledge and Attitude Toward the Cataract at Primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad City

Abstract

Background: A cataract distorts the eye’s lens, which at first impairs vision and later leads to blindness if untreated. Increased light sensitivity, poor night vision, seeing double pictures, and eventual utter blindness are the results. Objectives: The study aims to assess older adults’ knowledge and attitude toward cataracts and identify the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics of older adults’ knowledge and attitude toward cataracts. Methods: descriptive study design among 200 older adults selected by convenience sample. The study tool is a questionnaire comprising 3 parts (sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitude). The data was collected by the interview method. Result: The finding indicated that (60%) of older adults at age (60-65) years, (64.5%) are males, (29.5%) have secondary school graduates, and 71(35.5%) are housewives. The grand mean and standard deviation of knowledge are (1.55±0.22). The grand mean and standard deviation of attitude are (2.06±0.46). There is a significant difference between the mean score of older adults’ knowledge with age and education at p-value (0.000 & 0.03), respectively. Also, there is a significant difference between the mean score of older adults’ attitudes with age at p-value (0.000). Conclusion: It is essential to check the vision health status of old age people. Enhance the awareness about cataract risk factors, prevention, and treatment.