Abstract:

Background: in 2020, uncorrected refractive error was the leading cause of moderate or severe vision impairment worldwide. Uncorrected refractive error accounted for 157 million of the 295 million people estimated to have moderate or severe vision impairment. In sub-Saharan Africa, about (48.5%) of moderate and severe visual impairment is because of under corrected refractive error (URE). In Tanzania, the knowledge and attitude towards refractive errors has not been comprehensively assessed, limiting appropriate planning and implementation of delivery of vision care.

Method: the study was conducted in catholic university of health and allied science in Nyamagana district in Mwanza region in which a descriptive cross-sectional study was done and stratified random sampling was applied. A total of 285 participants was recruited, data was collected using online as well as manual
distribution of printed questionnaire questionnaires. Data was then analysed using SPSS version 23 and results were presented by using percentages, frequencies and tables.

Results: A total of 285 study participants were included. From the study participants, 89%, and 82.4% were aware on risk factors, and the symptoms of refractive error, respectively. Moreover, about 25.6%of the participants believed that wearing spectacle could damage their eyes, whereas 56.5% of the participants agreed with the need for spectacle correction for young people with RE.

Conclusion: although the proportion of good knowledge and a favorable attitude towards refractive error among medical students was good. We recommended that eye care practitioners be committed to increasing the knowledge and attitude of students towards refractive error through the comprehensive ophthalmology courses to better their understanding on RE and reduce visual impairment due to refractive error.