Knowledge, Practices and Use of Contact Lenses Among University Students in Turkey


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Zengin H., Çaka S. Y., Özdede E. E., Tatar İ. T., Çınar N.

Malawi Medical Journal, cilt.33, sa.4, ss.253-260, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 33 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.4314/mmj.v33i4.5
  • Dergi Adı: Malawi Medical Journal
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.253-260
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Care, CL use, Knowledge, Prevalence, University students
  • Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Aim This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of contact lens (CL) use among university students, their awareness on CL, and CL users’ practices for the cleaning and care of CLs. Methods The data of this cross-sectional study were collected between April 2019 and July 2019. The sample consisted of university students who volunteered to participate in the study. The data obtained from the study were evaluated by Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) 22.0 package program in computer environment. Results 929 students participated in the study and the average age of them was 21.99±1.85 years (Min. 18 – Max. 24), and it was determined that 36.6% (n=340) of the participants were male, 10.2% (n=95) of the total were using CL, 91.6% (n=87) of them used CL due to visual impairment. When students’ levels of knowledge about the hygiene and care in CL use were examined 85.4% (n=82) washed their hands before wearing/removing CL, 85.3% (n=81) cleaned the lens container and filled it with new solution when the solution in the container was reduced, 18.5% (n=17) continued wearing CL while sleeping, 6.5% (n=6) washed CL with tap water, and 28.3% (n=26) of them stated that they swam in the sea with CL. It was determined that the prevalence of CL use was higher (p= .045) among smoking students. Conclusion Health professionals are important in the trainings to be given to increase the students’ knowledge of hygiene and care regarding the use of CL. More studies are needed on the effect of smoking status on CL use.