A cross-sectional study found patients diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis have little knowledge of the condition, indicating a need for targeted education to improve attitudes and practices, potentially leading to better outcomes for sufferers. 

Published by Nature, the study is founded on the the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) model, postulating that knowledge forms the foundation for behaviour change, with attitudes and beliefs serving as the driving forces behind this transformation, researchers explained.  

Analysing results from a survey of patients from an outpatient clinic of the Eye Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (482 questionnaires, of which 329 were from women), researchers said they found significant positive correlations between respondents’ KAP scores: knowledge and attitude (r=0.214, P<0.001), knowledge and practice (r=0.352, P<0.001) and attitude and practice (r=0.303, P<0.001). Structural equation modelling further indicated that knowledge directly influenced attitude and, in turn, influenced practice.  

While patients generally exhibited positive attitudes towards managing allergic conjunctivitis, their knowledge level was inadequate and actual practices were insufficiently proactive, authors noted. “To enhance patient outcomes, it is crucial for healthcare providers to implement targeted educational programmes that not only increase patient knowledge but also encourage the translation of positive attitudes into consistent, effective self-management practices.”