Patients' Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh

Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved. © 2025 GLOBAL PUBLICATION HOUSE | GPH - International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing (GPH-IJHSN) | Open Access under CC BY 4.0 License Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh By Author(s): Maynul Hasan1 * , Ruma Khatun2, Rina Parvin3, Nazmunnahar Happy4, Mst. Marufa Yeasmin5, Naima Siddika6, Hasina Akter7 1Senior Staff Nurse, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2Senior Staff Nurse, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 3Senior Staff Nurse, National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 4 Lecturer, Barishal Nursing College, Barishal, Bangladesh. 5Senior Staff Nurse, Department of Ophthalmology, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 6Lecturer, Department of Graduate Nursing, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 7Assistant Professor, Department of Graduate Nursing, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Abstract Background: Visual impairment is a critical public health challenge, with significant burdens in Bangladesh exacerbated by an urban-rural disparity in eye care resources. The establishment of Community Vision Centers (CVCs) aims to decentralize and improve access to primary eye care. However, the success of this initiative is contingent on patients' awareness and health-seeking behavior. This study assessed the level and determinants of eye care awareness among patients utilizing CVCs in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2023 to October 2024 at two CVCs in the Dhaka and Rangpur divisions. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 165 patients were selected. Data were collected via a validated, interviewer-administered semistructured questionnaire. Awareness was assessed using a 10-item Likert scale and categorized into low, moderate, and high levels. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analyses. Results: The mean age of participants was 41.61 (±15.64) years, with a majority being female (55.8%), rural residents (68.5%), and having moderate income. Overall, 54.5% of patients had high awareness and 45.5% had moderate awareness; no patients had low awareness. However, critical knowledge gaps were identified: 78.2% had no prior knowledge of eye care, 64.8% were unaware of the CVC before their visit, and 62.4% were unaware that diabetes and hypertension increase eye disease risk. Awareness was significantly higher * e-ISSN 3050-9629 p-ISSN 2795-3212 10.5281/zenodo.17927097 Volume 8, Issue 2 (July-December 2025) Manuscript ID: #02157 Page 78 of 95 Hasan, M., Khatun, R., Parvin, R., Happy, N., Yeasmin, M. M., Siddika, N., & Akter, H. (2025). Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh. GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing, 8(2), 78-95. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17927097 © (GPH-IJHSN) | Vol. 8, Issue 02, (July-December 2025) | Open Access | www.gphjournal.org among younger, more educated, urban, and higher-income patients (p<0.05). Prior knowledge of eye care and information about the CVC were also strong predictors of higher awareness scores (p<0.001). Conclusion: While aggregate awareness levels were moderate to high, significant socioeconomic disparities and specific knowledge deficits persist. The CVC model is wellreceived but requires integrated, targeted public health education campaigns focused on vulnerable populations to address awareness gaps and maximize utilization. Keywords: Patient Awareness, Eye Care, Community Vision Center, Health Knowledge, Bangladesh. How to cite: Hasan, M., Khatun, R., Parvin, R., Happy, N., Yeasmin, M. M., Siddika, N., & Akter, H. (2025). Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh. GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing, 8(2), 78-95. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17927097 Introduction: Vision is the most essential sense for human beings, exerting a profound influence on an individual's quality of life, economic productivity, and overall health and development. The global burden of visual impairment is staggering, with an estimated 36 million people blind and approximately 250 million more living with moderate to severe visual impairment. A further billion people suffer from near vision impairment, a condition largely addressable through the provision of reading glasses (Hussain et al., 2022). This widespread prevalence underscores vision loss as a critical public health challenge with significant implications for sustainable development. The maintenance of healthy vision is dependent on access to quality eye care, which the United Nations recognizes as a vital component of the human health system (Das, et al., 2023). Eye care encompasses a comprehensive framework aimed at preventing, treating, and managing a spectrum of eye conditions and diseases to preserve good vision and ocular health. This framework includes promoting eye health through education and awareness campaigns (Janakiraman et al., 2023), delivering primary eye care services at the community level (Wolvaardt & Shukla, 2021), and providing specialized secondary and tertiary care (Sen & Honavar, 2022). The ultimate goal is to prevent avoidable blindness and visual impairment by addressing common conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy (Das B. N., 2022), thereby ensuring equitable access to high-quality, affordable eye care for all. The centrality of eye health to global development is highlighted by its interconnection with at least seven of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (Das et al., 2023). The burden of eye disease is a global concern, though its manifestations vary by region. In high-income countries like the United States, conditions such as dry eye disease are highly prevalent, affecting an estimated 6.8% of the adult population, with higher rates among women and the elderly (Farrand et al., 2017). Similarly, in Africa, a systematic review found a pooled dry eye disease prevalence of 42.0% (Akowuah et al., 2020). In Bangladesh, the Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing (GPH-IJHSN) | © 2025 | Open Access | epidemiological profile is dominated by issues like refractive error, allergic conjunctivitis, cataracts, and overall visual impairment. Nationally, the age-adjusted prevalence of low vision and blindness is 12.1% and 1.0%, respectively, with blindness disproportionately affecting those aged 55 years and older (Shakoor, et al., 2022). While the national Cataract Surgical Rate (CSR) is estimated at 2,600 per million populations per year, evidence suggests a rate of at least 3,000 is required to effectively control cataract-induced blindness, indicating a persistent service gap (Hussain, et al., 2022). A primary driver of this gap in Bangladesh is the inequitable distribution of eye care resources. The majority of ophthalmologists are concentrated in urban areas, leaving the 63% of the population residing in rural regions severely underserved (Amanullah et al., 2020). This urban-rural disparity necessitates vigorous and scalable solutions to expand access. In response, the Government of Bangladesh has initiated a plan to establish Community Vision Centers (CVCs) within Upazila Health Complexes, adopting a model inspired by the Aravind Eye Care System. These centers, situated at the third administrative tier serving populations of 100,000-200,000, are envisioned to form a network across all 500 Upazilas, bringing essential primary eye care closer to rural communities (Amanullah et al., 2020). The World Health Organization (2022) emphasizes that health promotion and education are fundamental components that should be integrated at all levels of the health system, with a focus on simple and efficient teaching and counselling at the primary and community care level. The establishment of CVCs represents a significant step towards decentralizing eye care. However, the ultimate success of such initiatives is not solely dependent on the availability of infrastructure and services, but also on the awareness and health-seeking behaviour of the target population. Patients' awareness regarding eye health, common conditions, and the availability of local services is a prerequisite for them to utilize these facilities effectively. There is a recognized paucity of research specifically investigating patients’ awareness regarding eye care within the context of these newly established Community Vision Centers in Bangladesh. Understanding this level of awareness is essential for identifying critical gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices, which can hinder the centers' effectiveness and impact. Therefore, this study, titled ―Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh,‖ sought to fill this knowledge gap. By assessing the awareness levels among patients, this research is expected generate evidence that can inform nursing practices, guide the development of targeted health education campaigns, and support policy development for eye care delivery at the community level. Ultimately, this study aimed to contribute to ensuring that every individual in Bangladesh can access the eye care they need for a healthier future. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess patients’ awareness regarding eye care at community vision centers in Bangladesh. The study was conducted at two sites: The Community Vision Center (CVC) at Parbatipur Upazila Health Complex in Dinajpur (within the Rangpur division) and the CVC at Dohar Upazila Health Complex in Dhaka (within the Page No. 80 Hasan, M., Khatun, R., Parvin, R., Happy, N., Yeasmin, M. M., Siddika, N., & Akter, H. (2025). Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh. GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing, 8(2), 78-95. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17927097 © (GPH-IJHSN) | Vol. 8, Issue 02, (July-December 2025) | Open Access | www.gphjournal.org Dhaka division). The data collection period spanned from September 2023 to October 2024. The study participants were patients of both genders who received eye care services at the selected CVCs during the study period. The inclusion criteria stipulated that participants must be 18 years or older, have attended the CVC for eye care, and be willing to provide informed consent to participate. A multi-stage sampling technique was utilized to select the study participants. In the first stage, two administrative divisions (Rangpur and Dhaka) were randomly selected from the eight divisions in Bangladesh that host the 200 functional CVCs (as of December 2023). In the second stage, one CVC was randomly selected from each of these two divisions, resulting in the selection of the CVCs at Parbatipur and Dohar Upazila Health Complexes. In the final stage, a total of 165 patients were conveniently selected based on their availability at the two chosen CVCs during the data collection period. The sample size was calculated using the formula for estimating a single population proportion: n = z²pq/d². With a 95% confidence level (z = 1.96), an anticipated proportion (p) of 50% (due to the absence of prior studies), a q of (1-p) = 0.50, and an allowable error (d) of 8%, the initial sample size was calculated to be 150. To account for potential attrition, the sample size was increased by 10%, resulting in a final sample size of 165. A semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used as the primary data collection instrument. The questionnaire was developed based on an extensive review of relevant literature, with significant insights drawn from studies by Sutradhar et al. (2019) and Shwetha et al. (2021), and was tailored to address the specific objectives of this study. The instrument was validated by three experts from Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) and subsequently translated into Bangla to ensure clarity and cultural appropriateness for the participants.The questionnaire consisted of three parts where Part I collected sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, including eight items such as age, gender, education level, occupation, and monthly family income. Part II comprised nine items gathering information related to the participants' eye care-seeking behaviour and their knowledge of the CVC, including sources of information, current eye problems, and satisfaction with services and part III assessed awareness regarding eye care using ten statements rated on a 3-point Likert scale (1=Don’t Know, 2=Disagree, 3=Agree). The total awareness score (range: 10-30) was calculated by summing all items. Following the methodology of Aljeezan et al. (2022), participants were categorized into three levels of awareness: low (score < 50% of total, i.e., <15), moderate (score 50-75%, i.e., 15-22.5), and high (score >75%, i.e., >22.5). Upon completion of data collection, all questionnaires were checked, verified, and edited for consistency and accuracy. The data were then entered into and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 26. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to summarize the sociodemographic characteristics and the levels of awareness. Inferential statistics, such as independent t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analyses, were employed to examine the relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and eye care awareness scores. Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing (GPH-IJHSN) | © 2025 | Open Access | Prior to commencement, ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of BMU (Bangladesh Medical University), formerly known as BSMMU (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University) Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Official permission was also secured from the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officers of the respective health complexes. Ethical considerations were rigorously upheld throughout the study. First, the principle of informed consent was paramount. The researcher introduced themselves to each potential participant, explained the study's objectives, benefits, and potential risks, and clarified that participation was entirely voluntary. Written informed consent was obtained from every individual who agreed to participate, and a witness signature was also collected to formalize the agreement. Second, stringent measures were implemented to protect participant confidentiality and anonymity. All data were collected through private, face-to-face interviews to ensure privacy. Any identifying information was omitted from the data collection form, and participants were referred to only by a unique code number in all records and during data analysis, ensuring that their responses could not be traced back to them. Finally, the study adhered to the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. Participants were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any point without any negative consequences to the medical care they received at the vision center. The interview process was conducted respectfully, and the researcher was prepared to provide basic, accurate information about eye care if questions arose, ensuring the interaction was beneficial and posed no harm to the participants. Results: This section presents the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, and their statements related to the information on eye care and community vision center, and the awareness. In addition, the level of awareness among patients on eye care is also highlighted in this section. Furthermore, the relationship between patients’ socio-demographic characteristics and eye care awareness, as well as the association among eye care information, community vision center and eye care awareness, is illustrated in detail. Table 1: Distribution of socio-demographic characteristics of the patients’ (n=165) Variables Frequency (n) Percentage (%) M±SD Age (in years) ≤ 20 years 21 to 40 years 41 to 60 years > 60 years 15 69 62 19 9.1 41.8 37.6 11.5 41.61 ± 15.64 Gender Male Female 73 92 44.2 55.8 Page No. 82 Hasan, M., Khatun, R., Parvin, R., Happy, N., Yeasmin, M. M., Siddika, N., & Akter, H. (2025). Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh. GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing, 8(2), 78-95. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17927097 © (GPH-IJHSN) | Vol. 8, Issue 02, (July-December 2025) | Open Access | www.gphjournal.org Religion Muslim Hindu 161 4 97.6 2.4 Marital status Unmarried Married Widowed 28 130 7 17.0 78.8 4.2 Education Primary Secondary Higher Secondary Graduate and above 53 35 55 22 32.1 21.2 33.3 13.3 Occupation Service Homemaker Business Students 24 69 46 26 14.5 41.8 27.9 15.8 Living area Rural Urban 113 52 68.5 31.5 Family income (In Bangladeshi Taka) ≤ 15000 taka 15001 to 30000 taka 30001 to 45000 taka > 45000 taka 22 82 38 23 13.3 49.7 23.0 13.9 30812 ± 14141 The socio-demographic profile of the 165 patients in the table 1 reveals a predominantly middle-aged, female, rural, and Muslim population with moderate levels of education and income. The average age of the respondents was 41.61 years (±15.64), with the largest cohorts being young and middle-aged adults (21-40 years: 41.8%; 41-60 years: 37.6%). A slight majority of the participants were female (55.8%), and an overwhelming majority were Muslim (97.6%) and married (78.8%). Geographically, most patients resided in rural areas (68.5%), aligning with the community vision center's purpose. Educational attainment was varied, with the highest proportion having a primary (32.1%) or higher secondary (33.3%) education. Reflecting this, occupations were predominantly homemaking (41.8%) and business (27.9%). The average monthly family income was 30,812 Taka (±14,141), with nearly half of all families (49.7%) earning between 15,001 and 30,000 Taka, suggesting a sample largely from a lower-middle to middle-income socioeconomic background. Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing (GPH-IJHSN) | © 2025 | Open Access | Table 2: Distribution of information related to eye care and community vision center (CVC) of the patients’ (n=165) Variables Frequency (n) Percentage (%) M±SD Knowledge on Eye Care Yes No 36 129 21.8 78.2 1.78±0.414 Information on CVC Yes No 58 107 35.2 64.8 1.65±0.479 Source of information on CVC (n=58) Television Newspaper Social Media Doctor Nurse Relatives/Friends Others 17 16 3 1 4 15 2 10.3 9.7 1.8 0.6 2.4 9.1 1.2 5.62±13.70 Current eye problem Cataract Refractive error Conjunctivitis Watering from eye Others 7 67 25 28 38 4.2 40.6 15.2 17 23 19.7±31.40 Treatment for current eye problem Doctor Nurse Medicine seller 70 86 9 42.4 52.1 5.5 1.63±0.587 Advice to visit CVC for treatment Doctor Nurse Health Worker Relatives Self 6 13 29 79 38 3.6 7.9 17.6 47.9 23.0 3.79±1.00 Frequency of visit to CVC One time Two times Three times > three times 72 78 12 3 43.6 47.3 7.3 1.8 1.67±0.691 Satisfaction on CVC service Yes No 158 7 95.8 4.2 1.04±0.202 Further improvement of CVC Yes No 61 104 37 63 1.63±0.484 The data presented in Table 2 reveals critical insights into patient awareness and engagement with the Community Vision Centre (CVC). A significant knowledge gap is evident, as the Page No. 84 Hasan, M., Khatun, R., Parvin, R., Happy, N., Yeasmin, M. M., Siddika, N., & Akter, H. (2025). Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh. GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing, 8(2), 78-95. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17927097 © (GPH-IJHSN) | Vol. 8, Issue 02, (July-December 2025) | Open Access | www.gphjournal.org vast majority of patients (78.2%) reported having no prior knowledge of eye care, and most (64.8%) had no prior information about the CVC itself before their visit. Among those who were informed (n=58), television (10.3%) and newspapers (9.7%) were the most common sources, though a substantial portion also learned through relatives or friends (9.1%). The most frequently reported eye problems were refractive errors (40.6%) and conjunctivitis/watering (32.2% combined). Patients primarily sought initial treatment from nurses (52.1%) and doctors (42.4%), and the decision to visit the CVC was most often made on their own initiative (23.0%) or on the advice of relatives (47.9%), rather than formal healthcare providers. While visits were typically one-time (43.6%) or two-time (47.3) events, satisfaction with the CVC's services was remarkably high (95.8%). Despite this high satisfaction, a notable proportion of patients (37.0%) still believed further improvements to the centre were necessary. Table 3: Distribution of eye care awareness among the patients’ (n=165) Statements Don’t know Disagree Agree M±SD n (%) n (%) n (%) 1. Health care services related to the care of the eye are called Eye Care. 81 (49.1) 0 (0) 84 (50.9) 2.02±1.00 2. Eye Care is important for every person. 4 (2.4) 1 (0.6) 160 (97) 2.95±0.317 3. Regular eye check-up is necessary for good eye health. 8 (4.8) 0 (0) 157 (95.2) 2.90±0.431 4. Lack of knowledge is a barrier of seeking Eye Care. 58 (35.2) 32 (19.4) 75 (45.5) 2.10±0.895 5. Lack of awareness is a barrier of seeking Eye Care. 33 (20) 59 (35.8) 73 (44.2) 2.24±0.766 6. Financial inability is a major cause hamper to get Eye Care services. 1 (0.6) 61 (37.0) 103 (62.4) 2.62±0.500 7. Cultural or social taboos inhibit us to seek eye care. 121 (73.3) 37 (22.4) 7 (4.2) 1.31±0.548 8. Lack of time is a barrier of seeking Eye Care. 0 (0) 88 (53.3) 77 (46.7) 2.47±0.500 Patients’ Awareness Regarding Eye Care at Community Vision Center in Bangladesh GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing (GPH-IJHSN) | © 2025 | Open Access | 9. Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension increases the risk of eye disease. 103 (62.4) 0 (0) 62 (37.6) 1.75±0.972 10. Wearing sunglass is beneficial for eye health. 32 (19.4) 2 (1.2) 131 (79.4) 2.60±0.795 Total 22.96 The data in Table 3 reveals a population with a strong appreciation for the importance of eye care in principle, but a concerning lack of specific knowledge about its practices and barriers. While an overwhelming majority agreed that eye care is important for everyone (97%) and that regular check-ups are necessary (95.2%), fundamental gaps in understanding are evident. Nearly half (49.1%) were unaware of the term "eye care," and a significant knowledge deficit exists regarding systemic health links, as most patients (62.4%) did not know that Diabetes and Hypertension increase the risk of eye disease. Perceptions of barriers were mixed; financial inability was recognized as a major hampering factor by most (62.4%), and lack of time was also seen as a barrier by a sizable portion (46.7%). However, there was no clear consensus on the roles of knowledge and awareness as barriers, and cultural taboos were largely dismissed (73.3% were unaware of this as a factor). The total mean awareness score of 22.96 out of a possible 30 points suggests a moderate overall level of awareness, but this aggregate score masks critical deficiencies in key educational areas essential for preventive health and understanding risk factors. Table 4: Distribution of level of awareness among the patients’ (n=165) Variables n (%) M±SD Level of awareness Moderate awareness High awareness 75 (45.5) 90 (54.5) 2.55 ± 0.499 Score less than 50% = Low awareness, 50% -75%= Moderate awareness and more than 75%= High awareness. Based on the scoring criteria provided in the table 4, the distribution of awareness levels reveals a predominantly positive outcome among the patients surveyed. More than half of the participants (54.5%, n=90) were categorized as having a high awareness of eye care, while the remaining 45.5% (n=75) demonstrated a moderate level of awareness. Crucially, no patients fell into the "low awareness" category, as the lowest score recorded was still above the 50% threshold. This indicates that while there is room for improvement, the foundational knowledge among this patient population is strong. The mean awareness score of 2.55 ± 0.499 on a scale that likely ranged from 1 to 3 further confirms that the average patient's understanding is well above the midpoint, aligning with the finding that the majority possess high awareness. This suggests that educational efforts at the Community Vision Centers are reaching patients effectively, though targeted strategies could be beneficial to move those with moderate awareness into the high awareness group. Page No. 86 Hasan, M., Khatun, R., Parvin, R., Happy, N., Yeasmin, M. M., Siddika, N., & Akter, H. 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