Awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among patients visiting the screening clinic in Jeddah Eye Hospital,Saudi Arabia

AIM:To explore levels and determinants of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among patients.METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study that included adult patients from October to the end of December 2018.A semi-structured questionnaire was designed by the researchers to measure the levels of awareness and knowledge about 18 basic information about glaucoma.The sheet was divided into 4 domains:types of glaucoma,risk factors,clinical features,and management.A knowledge score(KS,range=0-18)was calculated,with higher scores indicating higher levels.RESULTS:A total of 383 patients responded to the questionnaire,61.9%males,mean±SD age was 38.5±12.94 years old,and 61.6%had a university degree or higher.Of them,6.3%and 23.2%reported personal and family history of glaucoma,respectively.The most frequently reported source of information about glaucoma was another person with glaucoma(28.2%),followed by physicians(24.8%)and TV(19.6%).Knowledge by item ranged from 3.1%to 82.5%correctness rate,while KS showed mean=5.91 and median=5;and reliability testing of the knowledge scale showed Cronbach’s alpha=0.782.Higher KS were found among respondents with higher educational level(P=0.036),diabetes history(P=0.025),and personal(P<0.001)and family(P<0.001)history of glaucoma.CONCLUSION:This study reveals low awareness and knowledge levels about glaucoma among the attendees of a local eye care hospital,where several misconceptions about disease risk factors,clinical features,and management are identified.

Perceived Stress and Coping Styles among the General Population in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 Pandemic

This article examines the stress levels,coping responses,and influence of adaptive and maladaptive coping styles on stress in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to the attendees of a pandemic-related awareness webinars.The questionnaire assessed demographic and clinical characteristics,coping strategies(the brief COPE inventory),and stress levels(the Perceived Stress Scale).A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictors of stress.The highest adaptive and maladaptive coping styles were reported for religion and self-distraction.Certain groups were independently more vulnerable to experience stress,including young-and middle-aged adults,females,students,and those with a lowto-middle income,with a personal or familial history of mental conditions,and living with someone with COVID-19 in their close circle.Higher levels of stress were also predicted by lower levels of using positive coping styles,particularly positive reframing,planning,and returning to religion,and higher levels of negative coping styles,such as venting,self-blame,and denial.Future psychotherapeutic interventions through the media and digital solutions are warranted to mitigate and manage stress by targeting vulnerable groups,promoting active coping styles,and discouraging negative coping strategies.