<p>Level of Glaucoma Drug Adherence and Its Associated Factors Among Adult Glaucoma Patients Attending Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia</p>

Abstract

Background Glaucoma is a chronic optic nerve disease, often asymptomatic in an early stage, which is usually associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Good adherence to ocular hypotensive agents is essential to control the intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage. There is limited information on glaucoma drug adherence and associated factors in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Objective To determine the level of glaucoma drug adherence and associated factors among adult glaucoma patients attending Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019. Materials and Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Felege Hiwot specialized Hospital from March 2019 to May 2019. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 402 study participants. A structured questionnaire was prepared, and adherence was assessed by using self-report questions. The collected data were entered into Epi data version 4.2.2.1 and exported into Statistical Package for Social Science version 23 for analysis. Tables, graphs, frequency, mean, and standard deviation were used for descriptive statistics. Variables with a p-value of <0.2 in the bivariable logistic regression were entered in the multivariable logistic regression, and variables with a p-value of <0.05 under multivariable analysis were taken as statistically significant factors for glaucoma drug adherence. Results Among a total of 390 study participants, 212 (56.2%) were adherent to their topical medication. Early glaucoma (AOR=2.8: 95% CI =1.29–5.91), normal vision (AOR=1.9: 95% CI=1.15–3.09), urban residence (AOR=1.6: 95% CI=1.03–2.51), family support (AOR=1.7: 95% CI=1.06–2.76) and information from pharmacist (AOR=1.8: 95% CI=1.11–2.99) were significantly associated with adherence. Conclusion The level of glaucoma drug adherence was 56.2% among patients attending Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital. Early glaucoma, normal visual acuity, family support, information on medication from the pharmacist, and urban residence were positively associated with adherence.

The medication adherence among glaucoma patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Croatia

“…Most patients in the present study reported that family members provided them with therapy assistance, and the results are consistent with Assem et al., who showed that participants who had family support were 1.7 times more adherent to their medication than those who had no family support. 32 However, in the current circumstances of COVID-19 pandemics, some patients lost close contact with family members due to preventative measures (social distancing and self-isolation), which resulted in reduced help with therapy. It is already known that medication self-management may feel burdensome for some patients with glaucoma due to impaired vision or physical disabilities, indicating that the lack of family support might be an indicator of poor adherence to treatment.…”

Determinants of Intraocular Pressure (IOP) of Glaucoma Patients at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

“…Early glaucoma: the presence of glaucomatous optic nerve head damage but no visual field abnormalities within the central 10°and cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) ≤ 0.65 [8].…”

“…Moderate glaucoma: optic nerve abnormalities consistent with glaucoma and glaucomatous visual field abnormalities in one hemifield and not within 5°of fixation with moderate glaucomatous disc features of vertical CDR � 0.7-0.85 [8].…”

“…Advanced glaucoma: patients who have a CDR of 0.85-0.95 and glaucomatous visual field abnormalities in both hemifields and/or loss within 5°of fixation in at least one hemifield, with the ability of light perception [8].…”

Application of the information-motivation-behavioural skills model to strengthen eye care follow-up amongst glaucoma patients

“…Good adherence to ocular hypotensive agents is essential to control the IOP and optic nerve damage. 4 Medication is often suboptimal for glaucoma and non-adherence is a significant barrier to effective use of medication. An approximately 12-month adherence period is too short for the therapeutic effects in 30% -50% of patients based on self-reports, pharmacy refills and electronic monitoring.…”