The attitude and awareness of contact lens use among medical students of King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Not many studies have investigated the knowledge outcomes among medical students with regards to contact lenses (CL). Thus, in this study, we aim to assess the attitude and awareness of CL use and the associated factors among medical students of King Faisal University (KFU), Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This a cross-sectional study that based developed based on a designed questionnaire that was composed of 31 questions with a maximum score of 57 points. We have also conducted a linear regression model to explore the possible important factors that may affect the level of knowledge and awareness about contact lenses care. RESULTS: A total of 208 participants were included in this study, with a mean age of 21.0 ± 1.9, and 56.3% (n = 117) of them being females. The total mean knowledge score in our study was 30.1 ± 7.74, which was higher in females (31.5 ± 7.09) than in male participants (28.7 ± 7.69). The results of the linear regression model showed that being female (E = -0.37; 95%CI = -0.65— -0.10; P = 0.007), using contact lenses (E = 0.56; 95%CI = 0.29 — 0.82; P < 0.001), and in the third year (E = 0.66; 95%CI = 0.19— 1.13; P = 0.007) is significantly correlated with having higher knowledge scores about using CLs. CONCLUSION: Female participants had higher total mean knowledge scores than males. We recommend that further educational campaigns should be inaugurated to raise awareness about taking care of CLs and enhancing the related practices of wearing them.