Awareness and Health Seeking Behaviour Regarding Cataract Among Urban Slum Population, Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Volume 7, Issue 1, January – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Awareness and Health Seeking Behaviour Regarding

Cataract among Urban Slum Population, Raipur,
Chhattisgarh
Dr. Smita Verma1*, Dr. Nirmal Verma2, Dr. Shweta Shalini3
1.
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur (C.G.)
2.
Professor & HOD, Department of Community Medicine, Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur (C.G.)
3.
P G demonstrator, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Kanker (C.G.)
Corresponding author*:
Dr. Smita Verma
Pt. J.N.M. Medical College,
Raipur (C.G.)
Abstract :- I. INTRODUCTION
Background: Vision is one of the most cherished sense and Blindness a non – communicable disease is a big public
most of us can hardly imagine what it would be like to lose health problem of developing countries including India.
it. Blindness is a chronic non – communicable disease, There is huge reduction in prevalence of blindness by 47%
which is major public health problem worldwide specially from 2007 to 2019 and reduction in visual impairment by
in developing countries like India. Major contributing 51.9%. India has additionally reduced the number of blind
factor of blindness is cataract, by timely intervention, from 12 million to 4.8 million during that same period.
blindness can be prevented, this study based on Despite this phenomenal success, cataracts continue to be a
assessment of awareness and healthcare seeking behavior, challenge (1).
can fill the gap in knowledge related to cataract.
Methods: This Community based cross sectional study Cataract was the principal cause of blindness (66.2%),
was carried out in among 250 adult residents of Raipur severe visual impairment (80.7%), and moderate visual
City (C.G.). multistage random sampling was used. Data impairment (70.2%) (2). Increased awareness amongst large
was compiled and analysed in MS excel. population group is a major determinant for the prevention of
Cataract and its complications as well as knowledge related
Results: Majority (78.8%) of participants had heard of to visual impairment and blindness are the principle marker
Cataract, 83.23% were aware of the symptoms of of awareness and health seeking behavior that need to be
cataract. The most common reported symptoms of studied in community in specific population.
cataract were white opacity (59.89%) followed by
diminution of vision (57.36%). (36.04%) study subjects II. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
with self or family member were detected with cataract in
last 2 years. Out of them, 65 participants went to doctor This was a community based cross sectional study
(41.26% to Govt. doctor and 50.70% to private doctor) conducted by the Department of Community Medicine, Pt.
and 9.85% did nothing about it. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur amongst the residents of
urban slum areas of Raipur city. Study duration was of 3
Conclusion: There was good awareness about symptoms months from December 2019 to February 2020. Sample size
of cataract and good health seeking behavior related to was 250. Sample size estimation was done by using the
cataract. formula, n=z².pq /(d)² (3). Study population was adult of
above 35 years of age. Data collection was done by interview
Keywords:- Awareness, Cataract, Health Seeking Behaviour. method by using semi- structured questionnaire. A pilot
survey was conducted before starting final survey. Informed
verbal consent was taken prior to interview with study
participants. Multistage Random sampling was used. Raipur
city is divided into 8 zones, from these zones 4 zones were
randomly selected by lottery method. From this selected
zones, 4 wards were randomly selected. For collection of data
house to house survey was done. The collected data were
compiled, cleaned and analysed in MS excel. Descriptive
analysis for demographic characteristics were presented in
the form of frequencies, proportions and means where
appropriate.
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ISSN No:-2456-2165
III. RESULT
Table-1: Socio-demographic Profile of study participants (n=250)

Variable Total (%)
Age (in years)
35 - 44 28.4
45 - 54 28.0
55 – 64 24.8
65-74 14.8
75 4.0
Gender
Male 38.0
Female 62.0
Education
Illiterate 38.0
Primary 21.6
Middle 21.6
High 14.8
Higher Secondary 11.2
Graduate 6.4
Occupation
Employed 41.6
Unemployed 58.4
Marital status
Married 84.0
Divorced 0.8
Widow 15.0
Socioeconomic-status
Upper class 4.0
Upper Middle Class 11.2
Middle Class 16.0
Lower Middle Class 36.4
Lower Class 32.4
A total of 250 people participated in the study, with preponderance of female participants (62%). Majority of the study
subjects were belonging to the age group of 35-44 years (28.4%), 38% were illiterate, 58.4% unemployed, (84%) having lower
middle class socio-economic status as per Modified BG Prasad Scale. (Table 1).
Table -2: Awareness about Cataract among study participants

Questions Total (%)
Heard of cataract (n=250) 197 (78.8)
Awareness of the symptoms of cataract (n=197) 164 (83.23)
Source (multiple answer)
From relatives 154 (93.9)
Newspaper 3 (1.8)
Television 10 (6.00)
Social media 25(15.24)
Others 4 (2.44)
Awareness of common symptoms of cataract (multiple answer)
White opacity in eyes 118 (59.89)
Diminution of vision 113 (57.36)
Others 1 (0.5)
Awareness about Risk factors of developing cataract (n=197)
Ageing 51(25.89)
Trauma 3 (1.52)
Diabetes 2 (1.01)
Don’t know 141(71.57)
Knowledge about treatment options of cataract (n=197) 151(76.65)
Knowledge that cataract can cause blindness (n=197) 158 (80.2)

ISSN No:-2456-2165
Vision can be fully restored after surgery (n=197) 154 (78.17)
Surgery is done free of cost in Govt. and private hospitals (n=197) 136 (69.03)
Out of the total participants, 78.8% have heard of cataract, 83.23% were aware of the symptoms of cataract. The most common
reported symptoms of cataract were white opacity (59.89%) followed by diminution of vision (57.36%). Majority (71.57%) of study
participants were not knowing about the risk factors of cataract. The common reported risk factors were ageing (25.89%) followed
by trauma (1.52%) and diabetes (1.01%). 76.65% of the study subjects were aware about the treatment options of cataract.
Significant number of the participants (80.2%) knew that, if cataract is left untreated it can cause blindness. 78.17% and 69.03%
study participants knew that vision can be fully restored after surgery and surgery is done free of cost in Govt. and private hospital
respectively (Table 2).
Table - 3: Health seeking behaviour of participants regarding Cataract

Questions Total (%)
Self or family member detected with cataract in last 2 years (n=197) 71(36.04)
What measures taken ( n = 71)
Nothing 7 (9.85)
Go to government hospital 29 (40.84)
Go to private hospital 36 (50.70)
Underwent surgery ( n = 71) 63 (88.73)
Place of surgery (n=63)
Go to government hospital 26 (41.26)
Go to private hospital 36 (57.14)
NGOs 1 (1.58)
Precautions taken post – operatively (n=63)
Protection from bright light by wearing black spectacles 55 (88.89)
Avoid rubbing eye 38 (60.31)
Avoid watching television, mobile 23 (36.5)
Avoid lifting heavy weight 13 (20.6)
Avoid entry of water inside eye 13 (20.6)
Post – operative follow up (n=63) 55(87.3)
Health care seeking behaviour of cataract was found to reported symptoms were white opacity in eyes and
be good among study participants. 36.04% study subjects diminution of vision, this finding is in line with study done in
with self or family member were detected with cataract in last Saudi Arabia and North India (7)(8). Majority of the study
2 years. Out of them, 65 participants went to doctor (41.26% participants (71.57 %) were unaware about risk factors of
to government doctor and 50.70% to private doctor) and cataract development. This finding signifies there should be
9.85% did nothing about it. 88.73% undergone surgery, out health education activity focussed on cataract needs to be
of them 41.26% underwent operation in government hospital, strengthened. This finding is contrary to other studies
57.14% in private hospital and 1.58% in NGOs. Amongst the (5)(9)(11). Health seeking behaviour related to cataract was
total operated patient, most of them seek post-operative found to be good among study participants. Majority went to
precautions 2-3 times (protection from bright light by health care professionals (government and private hospital),
wearing black spectacles 88.89%, avoid rubbing eyes 60.31, when self or any family member diagnosed with cataract, and
avoid watching TV and mobile 36.5%, avoid lifting heavy 88% had surgery for cataract. Study participants were well
weight for 1 month 20.6% and avoid entry of water inside eye aware about precautions taken post – operatively and post –
20.6% . Post-operative follow up was done by 87.3% (Table op follow up after surgery.
3).
V. CONCLUSION
IV. DISCUSSION
The study findings suggest the majority of participants
Cataract is a major cause of preventable blindness. This were aware of cataract, but there is low awareness about risk
study designed with aim to assess awareness about cataract factors for development of cataract. Good health seeking
and to know health seeking behaviour related to cataract, practices observed for cataract in urban slum population.
which is key intervention to prevent blindness. This study Gaps in awareness observed can be filled up by implementing
identified, out of the 250 participants, 197 (78.8%) had heard proper eye health education programs. People need to be
of cataract. This finding is similar to other studies, they found educated and encouraged to use eye health services. The
more than 85% of participants were aware of cataract referral system must be strengthened for quality eye health
(4)(5)(6)(7). This study identifies, majority of study care delivery.
participants got knowledge about cataract from relatives, this
finding is similar to study done by Yezinsh Addis Alimaw et
al. (4) and contrary to other studies (5)(6). Most common

ISSN No:-2456-2165
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS [9]. Alamri A, Alghamdi A, Alojair RS, Bashair ;, Essa M,
Ashwaq ;, et al. Awareness and Knowledge of Adult
Authors would like to thank Head of the Department, Saudi Patients with Visual Impairment about Cataract
undergraduate medical students, who contributed in this
[Internet]. Vol. 86, Cairo Univ. 2018. Available from:
research, without them, study would not have been possible.
www.medicaljournalofcairouniversity.net
Funding: Supported by National Health Mission [10]. Bhagde S, Kini S, Manjula B. Knowledge, Attitude and
Chhattisgarh. The funding agency had no role in decision to Practice Regarding Senile Cataract in Rural Patients
publish and preparation of manuscript. Undergoing Cataract Surgery in North India. IOSR
Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS)
Conflict of interest: None declared. e-ISSN [Internet]. 2019;18:33–6. Available from:
www.iosrjournals.org
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Volume 7, Issue 1, January – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

Awareness and Health Seeking Behaviour Regarding

IJISRT22JAN516 www.ijisrt.com 334

Table-1: Socio-demographic Profile of study participants (n=250)

Table -2: Awareness about Cataract among study participants

IJISRT22JAN516 www.ijisrt.com 335

Table - 3: Health seeking behaviour of participants regarding Cataract

IJISRT22JAN516 www.ijisrt.com 336

IJISRT22JAN516 www.ijisrt.com 337

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