Awareness and practice patterns of pediatricians regarding retinopathy of prematurity: A multicenter study
- Author:
Nikki Doreen Angbue Te
1
;
Marie Joan Loy
1
;
Carlos Emmanuel Chua
1
;
Jose Melvin Jimenez
1
;
Rachelle Anzures
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Practice pattern
- MeSH: Retinopathy of Prematurity; Mass Screening; Surveys and Questionnaires
- From: Philippine Journal of Ophthalmology 2013;38(2):86-93
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:To assess the level of awareness and practice patterns of pediatricians in various government and
private hospitals in the Philippines regarding retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Methods:This is a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study of the practice profile and awareness of pediatricians of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) ROP screening recommendations. Six hundred selfadministered questionnaires were distributed to pediatricians from 40 randomly selected government and private hospitals in the Philippines between July and September 2013. Frequency distribution for each data was noted. Association of referral rates, distribution of barriers, and availability of protocol among the subgroups were analyzed using chi square.
Results:A total of 409 eligible surveys were analyzed with a response rate of 68.1%. 92% of the respondents referred their at-risk preterm babies to ophthalmologists for ROP screening. Of those who referred, 57% considered a cut-off value of less than 32 weeks age of gestation, and 45% considered a cut-off value of less than 1500g birth weight. 47% referred at 4-6 weeks post-natal age, and 48% had a protocol for ROP screening. Only 19% were aware of the PPS ROP screening recommendations. The major barrier encountered was the inability of the families to follow up after discharge (41%). Higher referral rates were noted from private institutions (p=0.013) and tertiary hospitals (p=0.019), including those with a protocol on ROP screening (p=0.002).
Conclusion:Majority of the respondents referred their at-risk preterm babies for ROP screening. A significant proportion was unaware of the PPS ROP screening guidelines. More than half do not have an established protocol. There were variations in practice patterns of the pediatricians in referring babies at-risk for ROP. Based on these, there is still a need to increase awareness among pediatricians. A uniform, national, published guideline on ROP screening, establishment of referral systems, and training of qualified ophthalmologists are recommended. - Full text:PJO 66.pdf
