Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Importance: Educating parents to recognize signs of eye disease and consult a healthcare professional is critical to timely diagnosis, intervention and outcomes.Background: We evaluate the effectiveness of an eye-health information pamphlet on parents' level of concern and help-seeking intention should they hypothetically observe leukocoria or strabismus in their child.Design: Double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted at a metropolitan antenatal outpatient clinic.Participants: In total, 518 pregnant women were enrolled in the study.Methods: After completing a study-specific, pre-test survey describing hypothetical clinical scenarios at baseline, participants were randomly assigned to receive a pamphlet on either paediatric eye health (intervention) or infant play (control). The post-test survey was sent by email 2 weeks after baseline.Main outcome measures: A change in the parents' level of concern if they observed leukocoria or strabismus and a change in their help-seeking intention if they hypothetically observed leukocoria or strabismus in their child.Results: Of the 518 women, 382 (73.7%) completed the post-test survey. At follow-up, women who received the intervention were more likely to report a higher level of concern if they observed leukocoria (OR 1.711 [CI: 1.176-2.497] P = .005]) and were less likely to delay help-seeking (OR 0.560 [CI 0.382-0.817] P = .003). No change in the level of concern for strabismus was identified between the groups; however, at follow-up, women who received the intervention were less likely to delay help-seeking (OR 0.318 [CI 0.125-0.806] P = .016).Conclusion and relevance: Providing parents with relevant, evidence-based information can significantly improve their knowledge and positively influence help-seeking intentions if leukocoria or strabismus are observed.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Staffieri, SE and Rees, G and Sanfilippo, PG and Cole, S and Mackey, DA and Hewitt, AW
Keywords:	help-seeking intention, leukocoria, strabismus
Journal or Publication Title:	Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Publisher:	Blackwell Publishing Asia
ISSN:	1442-6404
DOI / ID Number:	10.1111/ceo.13866
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2020© Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
Related URLs:	Google Scholar: Hewitt, AW UTAS Profile: Hewitt, AW
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page