Abstract:
Background: Glaucoma is a common and potentially blinding condition, which can be managed with the use of appropriate medication. For the medicines to be effective, there has to be strict adherence to the drug regimen. Non adherence to medical treatments by glaucoma patients can lead to visual impairment, blindness and disabilities.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of topical glaucoma medication adherence and associated factors contributing to adherence among glaucoma patients attending MCM (Korean) General Hospital Eye department.
Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted on 400 patients. Eligible patients were interviewed and their medical records were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data while multivariable logistic regression was employed to explore associations among variables of interest.
Result: Among the total 400 patients 46.5% (95% CI 41.5-51.2) were adherent to their topical medication. Male gender (AOR 1.57, 95%CI: 1.01-2.46, p = 0.045), having more frequent follow up visits (AOR 3.03, 95%CI: 1.36-6.74, p = 0.006), early stage of glaucoma (AOR 2.28, 95%CI: 1.16-4.47, p = 0.016) and obtaining adequate information from physician during follow up visits (AOR 2.33, 95%CI: 01.25-4.31, p = 0.007) were found to be significantly and positively associated with glaucoma medication adherence.
Whereas taking two or more number of medications (AOR 0.32, 95%CI: 0.20-0.51, p = 0.000) and experiencing immediate side effect from medications (AOR 0.39, 95%CI: 0.15-0.96, p = 0.041) were significantly and negatively associated with topical medication adherence.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The present study indicated that the level of topical glaucoma medication adherence was suboptimal. Eye care professionals should give emphasis on counseling/health education about adherence to topical glaucoma medication. Encouraging frequent follow up visit and availing fixed combination of glaucoma medications are crucial.................................. Thesis available at ACIPH Library