Knowledge and practice on refractive errors prevention among primary school teachers in 5 provinces in the Mekong Delta in 2018

Abstract

The study aims to describe the knowledge and practice on refractive errors prevention among primary school teachers in 5 provinces in the Mekong Delta in 2018. A cross - sectional study was conducted on 300 primary school teachers from October to December 2018 at 30 primary schools in 5 provinces of An Giang, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, and Kien Giang. The results show that the prevalence of primary school teachers with good knowledge on refractive errors prevention is 66.3%.
84.3% among which have good knowledge on refractive errors prevention with classification of refractive errors, 70.7% among which know about ways to prevent a refractive error, 68.7% among which know about causes of refractive errors, and 67% among which have knowledge on symptoms of refractive errors. 45.7% of primary school teachers have good practice on refractive errors prevention. Among these subjects, 67.3% have good practice on refractive errors prevention with instruction on sitting posture while studying, 60% have good practice on lighting up study areas at home, 59.3% follow instructions on how to prevent putting too much strain on eyes, 58.7% follow instruction on eye exercises, and 56% follow instruction on nutrition, their food sources for clearer eyesight. It is necessary to develop a training program to improve knowledge and practice guidance on prevention of school refractive errors for primary school teachers.