EYE HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF SAWMILL WORKERS IN ONITSHA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: A hazard of sawmilling is ocular affliction which may eventuate in visual impairment. The visual loss could be ameliorated if eye care is sought early. But timeous treatment is a function of eye health-seeking behaviour of the afflicted.

Aim: To determine the eye health-seeking behaviour of sawmill workers in Onitsha, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Consenting adult male sawmill workers at Onitsha, selected by simple random sampling were studied using pre-tested a questionnaire on eye disease symptoms, and eye health-seeking behaviour. Examination included visual acuity assessment, external eye examination, refraction, and ophthalmoscopy.

Results: Eighty-five sawmill workers with an age range 18 – 61 years; median – 42 years participated; 50 (58.8%) were self-employed. Eighty (94.1%) had symptoms of eye disease. Tearing, 75 (88.2%), and foreign body sensation, 62 (72.9%), were the common symptoms. Sixty-five (76.5%) participants sought eye care only when they consider the symptoms serious; 20 (23.5%) never did. Self-medication, [58 (68.2%)] and consulting traditional healers, [9 (10.6%)] were popular practice. Cost of treatment, [58 (68.2%)] and a feeling that the symptom was not serious, [44 (51.8%)] were the commonest barriers.

Conclusions: The eye health-seeking behaviour of this cohort of sawmill workers is poor. Treatment cost and not taking eye disease symptoms were the two most important barriers to seeking eye care. To improve the eye health-seeking behaviour of these workers, subscribing to health insurance scheme and eye health education are recommended.