TITLE:
Knowledge and Practice of Fundoscopy among Medical Doctors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
A. A. Onua, B. Fiebai
KEYWORDS:
Practice, Fundoscopy, Physicians
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ophthalmology,
Vol.6 No.3,
August
19,
2016
ABSTRACT: Background: Many clinical entities manifest early characteristic changes in the fundus of the eye.
The value of fundoscopy cannot be overemphasized and every medical doctor is expected to be
able to use the ophthalmoscope to detect common pathological changes. However, more often than
not fundoscopy is seen as an exclusive specialized skill of the ophthalmologist. Aim: The aim of
this study was to evaluate knowledge and practice of fundoscopy among the physicians present at
the Ordinary General Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (Rivers State branch) held in
Port Harcourt on 30th June 2014. Methods: A self administered questionnaire about their knowledge
and practice of fundoscopy was administered to 125 medical doctors attending the Ordinary
General Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (Rivers State branch) held in Port Harcourt
on 30th June 2014. Questions asked tested the Knowledge and Practice of the physicians on matters
related to fundoscopy. Participants’ knowledge and practice were graded as Good for scores
of 75% and above, Fair for 50% - 74% score and Poor for scores less than 50%. Respondents’ demographic
data, responses and corresponding scores were entered into computer software—Scientific
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and subsequently analyzed. Results: The
study participants were 125 physicians; 86 males and 39 females (M:F = 2.2:1). Twenty-eight percent
of the study participants had good knowledge of fundoscopy while only 15% had good practice.
Seventy eight physicians representing 62.4% of the participants could correctly refer patients
with the need for fundoscopy to an ophthalmologist, whereas 11 (8.8%) worked in facilities without
basic instrument for fundoscopy (ophthalmoscope). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that
knowledge and practice of fundoscopy among medical practitioners in Port Harcourt is poor and
far from ideal. Therefore, refresher courses emphasizing the acquisition of the skill in fundoscopy
and the provision of ophthalmoscopes in our General Practitioners’ clinics are necessary.