The perception amongst a population of high school students in South Africa about ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS*
African Vision and Eye Health
Field | Value | |
Title | The perception amongst a population of high school students in South Africa about ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS* | |
Creator | Melwa, I. T. Oduntan, O. A. | |
Description | HIV and AIDS can result in visual impairment, therefore it is important that those who have or atrisk of contracting the disease have a basic knowledge of its ocular manifestations, so that they may seek eye care early. This study assessed the per-ceptions of a sample of senior high school students at the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province, South Africa about the ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS and its management. Questionnaires were distributed to the students in their classrooms after school hours and upon completion were collected the same day. Data analysis revealed that 27.8% of the participants agreed that HIV/AIDS can affect the eyes. Another 27.8% responded that HIV/AIDS could cause dry eyes. Less than a third (31.4%) indicated that the disease could cause red eyes, 31.5% and 38.1% respectively indicated that HIV/AIDS could cause cancer of the eyelids and the eyeball. About half of the respondents (52%) agreed that the disease could cause swollen eyelids; while about 46% agreed that vision loss or blindness could occur in HIV/AIDS. Many (65.6%) indicated that an ophthalmologist or an optometrist should be consulted for HIV/AIDS-related eye problems and only 16.5% reported that traditional healers could be consulted. Perception about the ocular manifestations of HIV and AIDS is poor among the participants, suggesting a need for awareness campaigns and education. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(3) 117-122) | |
Publisher | AOSIS | |
Date | 2012-12-09 | |
Identifier | 10.4102/aveh.v71i3.78 | |
Source | African Vision and Eye Health; South African Optometrist: Vol 71, No 3 (2012); 117-122 2410-1516 2413-3183 | |
Language | eng | |
Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/78/48
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