Adherence to topical anti-glaucoma medications in Sidama regional state, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Purpose To assess the proportion of adherence to topical anti-glaucoma medications and associated factors among glaucoma patients in Sidama regional state, Ethiopia. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 30 to July 15, 2022 at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized and Yirgalem General Hospitals in Sidama regional state, Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 410 study participants. An adapted eight-item self-reported questionnaire was used to assess adherence. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with adherence to topical anti-glaucoma medications. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 under multivariable analysis were taken as statistically significant factors for adherence. The strength of the association was measured by using an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Results A total of 410 participants were included giving a response rate of 98.3%. Those who were adherent to their medications were 221(53.9%) (95% CI: 48.8–58.5). Urban residence (AOR = 2.81: 95% CI = 1.34–5.87), higher educational level (AOR = 3.17: 95% CI = 1.24–8.09), monthly follow-up frequency (AOR = 3.30: 95% CI = 1.79–6.11) and normal vision (AOR = 6.58: 95% CI = 3.03–10.84) were significantly associated with adherence. Conclusion More than half of glaucoma patients attending at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized and Yirgalem general hospitals were adherent to their topical anti-glaucoma medications. Urban residence, educational level, follow-up frequency, and normal vision were associated with adherence.

Glaucoma medication adherence and associated factors among adult glaucoma patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All of the included primary studies used a cross-sectional study design. Of the studies, 1 was done in Sidama region [22], 1 in Addis Ababa [23], 1 study done in Oromia region [13], and 3 studies were done in Amhara region [14,24,25]. The studies were published between 2015 and 2023 and included a sample size ranging from 200 [13] to 410 [22]individuals.…”

“…Of the studies, 1 was done in Sidama region [22], 1 in Addis Ababa [23], 1 study done in Oromia region [13], and 3 studies were done in Amhara region [14,24,25]. The studies were published between 2015 and 2023 and included a sample size ranging from 200 [13] to 410 [22]individuals. The total number of participants included in the review was 2101.…”

“…Regarding the method of ascertainment of adherence, all of the included studies used self-reporting by the patient to declare adherence. Of the studies, 4 of them used a tool designed by the authors for the study [13,14,22,24] while 2 studies used the Morisky medication adherence scale-8 [23,25]. All included studies had good quality based on NOS score.…”

“…We used three studies with 1160 participants [14,22,24] to assess the association between place of residence and adherence. The odds of adherence to glaucoma medication was found to be 1.89 times higher among urban residents than rural residents (OR=1.89, 95% CI; 1.29-2.49).…”

“…We used three studies with 1160 participants [14,22,24] to assess the association between visual acuity and adherence. The odds of adherence to glaucoma medication was found to be 2.82 times higher among patients with normal visual acuity than those with affected visual acuity (OR=2.82, 95% CI; 0.85-4.80, P=0.01).…”