Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Retinopathy of Prematurity Among Health Workers in the New-born Units of Kilifi County Hospitals

Abstract

STUDY BACKGROUND Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an abnormal fibro-vascular proliferation in the retina of babies born preterm and develops in the first few weeks after birth. It is one of the leading causes of preventable VI and blindness in the world. Knowledge, attitude and practices towards ROP among the health workers involved in the care of neonates is essential in combating VI from ROP. AIM The study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards ROP among health workers in the New-Born Units (NBUs) of Kilifi County, Kenya. METHODS A cross sectional study was conducted among 87 health workers in the NBUs of Kilifi county in December 2022. The study population consisted of nurses, clinical officers (COs), medical officers (MOs) and pediatricians. A semi-structured questionnaire on the KAP towards ROP was administered by conducting a one-to-one interview and the data obtained analyzed. RESULTS Majority (70.1%) of the health workers had good ROP knowledge. Most (92%) of the health workers knew the part of the eye that is affected by ROP, 80.5% knew ROP is preventable and 37.9% were able to mention 4 risk factors for ROP. The main risk factors identified were prematurity, low birth weight, respiratory distress and infection. Few (13.8%) knew the timing for the first ROP screening. Similarly, 13.8% were able to mention 4 treatment options for ROP. The most common treatment option identified was surgery. Around 47% knew there were national ROP guidelines in Kenya but only 4.6% ever read them. Most (75%) of the health workers had positive attitude towards ROP. Around 40% of the health workers had seen babies with or suspected to have ROP but only 18% ever referred or advised referral of babies for ROP screening. The main challenges to making referrals were knowledge gap and lack of eye specialists. CONCLUSION Majority of the health workers had good ROP knowledge and positive attitude towards it but poor referral practice...