Knowledge, attitude and practice on ophthalmic features of Hiv/aids among clinicians in comprehensive care centres in Nyanza

Abstract

Background:1.33 million Kenyans are infected with HIV/AIDS.The prevalence is highest in Nyanza region (13.9%). There is no data on knowledge, attitude and practice on ophthalmic features of HIV/AIDS among clinical officers/medical officers.Being the primary physicians,it,s prudent to evaluate their skills in assessing and referring patients with these features. Design: A cross-sectional study Objective:Assessknowledge, attitude and practice onophthalmic features of HIV/AIDS in adults among clinicians. Methodology: The study was carried out in Nyanza, Kenya and the study participants were clinical officers and medical officers working in comprehensive care centres. One on one interview was performed using a questionnaire and data collected was coded and entered in pre-designed Microsoft access database.Analysis was done using SPSS version 17 software.The results were presented in tables and graphs. Results: 73 clinicians were interviewed over a period of 2 months.Their ages ranged from 22 to 55 years.93.2% were clinical officers and 6.8% were medical officers while the male to female ratio was 2:1 and 1:4 respectively. 89.7% of clinical officers (CO) compared to all the medical officers (MO) had knowledge on ophthalmic features of HIV/AIDS.Herpes zoster was the commonest ophthalmic feature of HIV/AIDS that was known by 50.8% of COs and 80% of MOs.57.4% of COs compared to 80% of MOs were aware that the ocular adnexae was affected by HIV/AIDS infection while 86.8% and 100% respectively knew that the level of CD4 count determined occurrence.Majority did not know ophthalmic features of HIV/AIDS that occurred at different levels of CD4 counts. The practice was poor with 72.1% of the COs and 60% of MOs not taking ocular history while 72.1% and 80% respectively were not performing an ocular examination.However, majority of them referred patients with complaints. Conclusion:The study established that the clinicians had adequate general knowledge on ophthalmic features of HIV/AIDS though gaps existed on the specific features and on role of the CD4 count as a determinant of occurrence. The attitudes were good though this did not reflect on practice