Awareness, Attitudes and Behaviours of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Midwifery Students on Eye Health: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective: Increasing ones' knowledge level of eye health for preventive medicine and early treatment is essential. This study aimed to identify students who completed their second year of health education and students in their final month of education as regards their awareness, attitudes and behaviours about eye health, to determine their approach to medicine and to draw attention to the shortcomings of education. Materials and Methods: A face-to-face questionnaire survey was performed to 337 second-year volunteers and to medicine, dentistry, nursery and midwife students in their final year of education. Data collected were evaluated by descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: Students' response rate was very low (76.2%-10.1%), even if they voluntarily participated to the survey (27.8%). They do not know about some of the basic knowledge such as uses of sunglasses, retinopathy of prematurity and coexistence of eye pathology in chronic diseases. They were not aware of the mandatory training on "rational drug treatment" in their curriculum. Although it is not legally possible, all students said they suggest accessibility of medications including antibiotics to people if they think they should use it. Conclusion: Inadequate knowledge and misbeliefs on eye health among health care students were remarkable, which imply reconsideration of the educational curriculum. The suggestion rate of medications and beliefs on non-medical products were concerning. A general examination before graduation can help tackle this problem.