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Status of eye donation awareness and its associated factors among adults in rural pondicherry.

INTRODUCTION
The value of anything is realized only when it is lost, one such thing is vision. Though all the causes of blindness can't be cured, corneal blindness can be reverted by corneal transplantation, for which a suitable donor cornea is required at right time. There is lack of awareness about eye donation among general population, so practice of eye donation is also lacking. Studies about awareness of eye donation among general population are lacking in rural India, keeping this in mind, present study was conducted.


AIM
To determine the awareness about eye donation and its associated factors among adults in rural Pondicherry, India.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted at Rural Health and Training Centre (RHTC) of Community Medicine department. Total 196 adults visiting to RHTC were interviewed after obtaining informed written consent. Data were collected by investigator using pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire in local language (Tamil). The data were analyzed using epi info 7 software. Chi-square test was used for statistical significance between awareness and socio-demographic factors like age, sex, education, occupation, etc. Ethical permission was obtained before conducting the study.


RESULT
Of 196 participants, 80.6% subjects were aware about eye donation. Education and occupation had significant association with awareness. Main source of information about eye donation was television (65.2%). The employed persons had significantly more awareness about the correct timing to donate eyes. Education and occupation were found to be the predictors for awareness about eye donation.


CONCLUSION
Although the awareness is good in this population, the quantum of people pledged is very low. To make the dream of converting the awareness into pledging and procurement of eyes, the knowledge about eye donation is highly required.