(P-131) Knowledge and Awareness of the General Population and Healthcare Providers About Retinoblastoma: It Is Time to Know the Glow

Background: Retinoblastoma is the most frequent primary intraocular tumour in childhood. Early detection of retinoblastoma is the key to successful management with a higher chance of survival.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge of the general population and healthcare providers about retinoblastoma in term of presentation, risk factors, timing for diagnosis, and complications.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in three Arab countries (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq) between August 28th and September 16th 2020. The questionnaire tool was constructed based on an extensive literature review to explore the study’s aim and objectives. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of better knowledge about retinoblastoma.

Results: A total of 3,676 participants were involved in the study (Jordan=2,654, Saudi Arabia=604, and Iraq=418). The average retinoblastoma knowledge score for the whole study population was 6.25 (SD=4.12) out of 21, representing 29.8% (out of the maximum possible total score). Participants aged above 50 years old, married individuals, those with a secondary education level, those who work as professionals in industry, those who have more than four children, and those who reported that they were not in direct contact with a large number of children were less likely to be knowledgeable about retinoblastoma presentation, risk factors, the timing for diagnosis, and complications (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The knowledge about retinoblastoma is very limited in the developing countries of the Middle East region. Educational campaigns should be directed towards the general population and healthcare providers.