Abstract :
Background: Pediatric eye health is a crucial but often neglected aspect of child well-being, heavily influenced by parental awareness and practices. This study assessed these factors among parents in Chengalpattu district, exploring the impact of demographic and socioeconomic variables.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 260 parents of children aged 1 month –12 years attending pediatric care at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression.Results: Female parents showed better awareness than males (OR = 1.752, p = 0.028). Higher education was linked to greater awareness, while illiterate parents were least informed (OR = 9.79, p < 0.001). Low awareness was also noted among nuclear families (OR = 2.81), low-income groups (OR = 3.15), and parents of single children (OR = 2.59). Barriers included reliance on home remedies (33.6%) and societal stigma against glasses (59.3%). However, 63.8% valued early detection and intervention.Conclusion: Parental awareness of pediatric eye care is shaped by education, income, and family structure. While support for professional care exists, misconceptions persist. Targeted educational programs are needed, especially for fathers and disadvantaged families, to improve pediatric eye health outcomes.
Keyword :
Pediatric eye health, Parental awareness, Child vision care, Socio-economic factors, Public health education.