Knowledge and Awareness About Age-Related Macular Degeneration Among Students of the Syrian Private University

Abstract

Taim Shamous, Karam Obeid, Afraa Salman

Background: A significant contributing factor to permanent blindness is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), hence raising awareness of the condition is crucial to preventing blindness. Previous research papers, however, indi- cated that the general public is not aware of AMD, and there is no information available regarding AMD awareness in Syria. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to assess the awareness of AMD and its risk factors Syrian Private University students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire focused on students from the medical, dental, pharmacy, business administration, and engineering schools at a Syrian private university. The interview assessed respondents' knowledge of AMD using a standardized questionnaire derived from the AMD Alliance International Global Report. Demographic data included age, gender, education level, and home type (rural vs. urban).

Results: The 600 students from the Syrian Private University made up the sample for our study, including 252 males (59%) and 248 females (41%). 35% of the total student population— responded that age-related macular degener- ation is very common and able-to-detect early, moreover 34% of students responded that macular degeneration is a common cause of irreversible low vision in the world. 16% , 18% , 18% and 13% believed that smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are risk factors for AMD. When the students were asked about the potential symp- toms of AMD, the majority of students responded that the patient's low vision was the most significant symptom, reaching 253 students, or 42%. When asked about treatment options for AMD, the majority of participants showed low level of knowledge about that.

Conclusion: The sample of students knew very little about AMD. It is necessary to implement educational initiatives to increase public knowledge about AMD

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