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Knowledge and Attitudes about Corneal Ulceration among Residents in a County of Shandong Province, China

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate knowledge, attitudes and status of health education about corneal ulceration among residents in Shouguang, a county of Shandong Province, China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October 2010, and 2700 residents aged 18–60 years were selected by multi-stage sampling to answer a questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes and status of health education about corneal ulceration. Influencing factors for knowledge and attitudes were evaluated with a χ2 test and logistic regression analyses. Results: Among all 2440 participants, 37.4% had heard of corneal ulceration. Of these, 72.5% knew corneal trauma might cause corneal ulceration, 37.6% knew corneal ulceration might cause blindness and 52.2% had received health education on corneal ulceration. Of all participants, 55.1% thought they would not immediately seek help if corneal trauma occurred and 90.6% would like to receive health education on corneal ulceration. While sex, age, occupation, education level and contact lens wear were influencing factors for knowledge of corneal ulceration (all p < 0.05), sex, age, income and contact lens wear were associated with participants’ willingness to seek help for corneal trauma (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: There was a lack of knowledge and awareness about corneal ulceration among residents in Shouguang. Health education on corneal ulceration was limited, and should target high risk populations such as males, older people, farmers and workers, people with lower education, people with lower incomes and contact lens wearers. Health education should also focus on addressing the importance of timely treatment, encouraging people to seek help immediately and actively after corneal trauma.