Awareness and Knowledge of Trachoma among Undergraduate Pharmacy Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Chinelo Nneka Ikeanyi, Ngozi Prisca Onuigwe, Jane Osareme Ogugua and Bilkisu Kuchazi

Introduction: Trachoma disease remains a menace in Africa despite several awareness campaigns as part of global efforts of trachoma eradication in Africa. Limited access to health care services and knowledge of trachoma prevention is a limitation to its elimination in Africa. Pharmacists play a key role in patient care, disease control and prevention, patient education and counselling.

Objectives: This study assessed the pharmacy students’ awareness and knowledge of trachoma since they are future healthcare professionals.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on pharmacy students of University of Nigeria Nsukka with the aid of a structured questionnaire using a convenient sampling method. A two-sectioned questionnaire with 14-item questions was used for this study. The collected data was entered into Microsoft excel spread sheet for data cleaning after which it was exported into the IBM SPSS software for inferential and descriptive analysis. The data was summarized using frequencies, percentages mean and standard deviation. Chi- square was used to determine associations between the independent variables and the student’s demographic characteristics.

Results: Out of 600 questionnaires that were given out, only 406 were properly filled giving a response rate of 68%. Half 203(50%) of the respondents were males, majority (201;49.5%) were between the age of 18 – 29 while 209(51.5%) were in BPharm program. More than half 259(63.8%) of the respondents had good knowledge while the rest had poor knowledge of trachoma.

Conclusion: The pharmacy students were aware of trachoma disease and had good knowledge of trachoma. The year of study influenced the students’ knowledge of trachoma.

PDF