Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Adherence to topical anti-glaucoma medications is essential to reduce
further progression of glaucoma. There is limited information about adherence and
associated factors in Southern Ethiopia. Providing updated information regarding
this topic is essential.
Objective: To assess the proportion of adherence to topical anti-glaucoma medications
and associated factors among glaucoma patients attending at Hawassa University
Comprehensive Specialized and Yirgalem General Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia,
2022.
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,
Southern
Ethiopia.
A
systematic
random
sampling
method
was used
to select the 417 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
a
95%
confidence
interval.
Result:
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.
Keywords: Topical anti-glaucoma medications, adherence, Southern, Ethiopia
