Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Following the formal launch of the AAO-African Chapter in October 2023, there was a renewed interest among African Optometrists to obtain the Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). This paper investigates the awareness of the FAAO process among African optometrists and their perception of the newly established African Chapter's role in advancing the profession on the continent. The survey addresses a critical gap in understanding and highlights the pivotal role the African Chapter can play in advancing the optometry profession on the continent, contributing valuable insights for shaping strategies to enhance awareness, promote professional development, and foster a sense of belonging among African optometrists within the global optometry community. METHODS: A self-administered web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 25 to 30, 2023, targeting African Optometrists who had joined the candidate for AAO WhatsApp group, created by the African Chapter. The survey aimed to collect data on the participants' knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward the FAAO process and the newly established African Chapter. RESULTS: The majority of the 302 African optometrists that participated in the survey, were under 40 years old and predominantly from Nigeria or Ghana. Despite a high intention to apply for the FAAO (77.2%), a significant proportion (82.1%) were unaware of the process. Nevertheless, nearly half of the respondents perceived benefits from the fellowship with regard to enhancing professional development and status. While one-third of respondents were aware of the African Chapter before joining, nearly all expressed a desire to become official members. CONCLUSION: The critical gap in awareness regarding the FAAO process among African optometrists suggests the need for targeted strategies to increase awareness, promote professional development, and foster a sense of belonging among African optometrists within the global optometry community.