SPJ Publication
New Era Medical Journal
Open Access Original Research

Parental Awareness and Social Determinants Influencing Early Detection of Retinoblastoma

, *

* Corresponding author: Santosh Kumar

DOI10.62502/nemj/v2i1art3
Pages 14–19Language ENLicence CC BY-NC 4.0 Crossmark XML metadata
  1. Received16 Dec 2025
  2. Accepted28 Feb 2025
  3. Published24 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background: Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in children and requires early diagnosis to improve survival and preserve vision. However, delayed detection remains common in developing regions due to limited parental awareness and various social determinants such as education level, socioeconomic status, and accessibility to healthcare services.

Aim: To evaluate parental awareness and identify social factors influencing the early detection of retinoblastoma in paediatric patients.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over four months from October 2025 to January 2026. A total of 280 parents of paediatric patients attending a tertiary healthcare institution were included. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and healthcare-seeking behaviour. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Out of 280 participants, 134 (47.9%) were aware of retinoblastoma as a childhood eye cancer, while 146 (52.1%) had no prior knowledge. Awareness of leukocoria was reported by 112 parents (40.0%) and strabismus by 86 (30.7%). Parental education showed a significant association with awareness (χ² = 16.82, p = 0.001). Socioeconomic status also significantly influenced awareness levels (χ² = 12.47, p = 0.002). Early medical consultation within one month of symptom recognition was reported by 118 parents (42.1%), with urban residence associated with earlier healthcare-seeking behaviour (χ² = 18.03, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Parental awareness and social determinants significantly influence early detection of retinoblastoma. Public awareness programs and improved healthcare accessibility are essential to promote early diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.

Keywords

RetinoblastomaParental AwarenessEarly DetectionPaediatric Ocular Cancer

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