Knowledge, Attitude, and Health-seeking Behaviours of Health Professionals Undergoing Postgraduate Studies at a North-east University of the United King dom, towards Blindness Prevention from Glaucoma

Background: Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of visual impairment. It accounts for the leading cause of blindness registration to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom (UK). Only half of the total number of people diagnosed with glaucoma in the UK seek treatment, which raises concern about their attitude and health-seeking behaviour. Health professionals have been identified as agents of health behaviour change. Nevertheless, their impact and influence on behaviour change agenda will depend on their knowledge and attitude as well as their eye-health-seeking behaviour toward glaucoma. Aim: To examine the level of knowledge, attitude, and health-seeking behaviours of health professionals undergoing postgraduate studies at the University of Sunderland towards blindness prevention from glaucoma. Methods: This study adopted a quantitative approach using a cross-sectional design. After obtaining informed consent, a total of 104 participants were voluntarily surveyed online using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The finding on glaucoma awareness level amongst the respondents was high (79.8%). Knowledge level was fair (44.2%). Most of the respondents did not have a good attitude and eye-health-seeking behaviour toward glaucoma. The age and/or family history of blindness of the respondents had a statistically significant relationship with the awareness, knowledge level, and attitude toward glaucoma. Conclusion: It would be wrong to assume that all health professionals are fully knowledgeable about glaucoma. Mechanisms to equip health professionals with the right glaucoma information should be prioritized to enable effective engagement in public health education and improvement campaigns on glaucoma towards blindness prevention