A follow-up survey on the knowledge of age-related macular degeneration and its risk factors among Singapore residents after 5 years of nation-wide awareness campaigns.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To re-evaluate the awareness of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and knowledge of its risk factors among Singapore residents after 5 years of awareness campaigns. METHODS: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based telephone survey (modified from the AMD Alliance International Global Report), conducted in Singapore in 2011. Participants were randomly selected using the Global Yellow Pages Singapore residential listings 2009/2010. Awareness of AMD and its risk factors was assessed among participants. RESULTS: Of 1773 Singapore residents contacted over the telephone, 559 participated (31.5% response rate). The mean age of participants was 43.1 years (range 21-85 years). A total of 157 participants (28.1%) were familiar with AMD. Among these, the number who correctly identified the risk factors were smoking, n = 132 (84.1%); ageing, n = 123 (78.3%); lack of vitamins/nutrients, n = 121 (77.1%); genetics, n = 101 (64.3%); unprotected light exposure, n = 100 (63.7%) and; sex, n = 62 (39.5%). Participants aged >50 years (prevalence rate ratio, PRR 2.23, confidence interval, CI, 1.31-3.81) or who had undergone an eye test within the previous year (PRR 2.61, 95% CI 1.79-3.82) were more familiar with AMD, while females (PRR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.98) were less familiar. CONCLUSION: Self-reported awareness of AMD among Singapore residents increased four-fold from 7.3% in 2006 to 28.1% in 2011 following 5 years of awareness campaigns. Participants who were >50 years or had undergone an eye test within the previous year were more aware of AMD while female participants were less aware of AMD.