Magnitude of Maladaptive coping strategy and its associated factors among adult glaucoma patients attending University of Gondar, Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Coping strategy is the mechanism by which patients adjust to the condition they face. It can be adaptive or maladaptive. It is common among patients with chronic illnesses. Despite the higher prevalence of glaucoma in Ethiopia, there was no evidence found on maladaptive coping strategy among patients with glaucoma. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of maladaptive coping strategy and its associated factors among adult glaucoma patients attending University Gondar, Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. Methods and materials: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 423 glaucoma patients selected by systematic random sampling technique from May 15 – June 30, 2022 at University Gondar, Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center. Pretested, structured questionnaire of brief cope inventory tool was administered through interview by optometrists and review of medical chart. The data was collected and entered into kobo collect version 2021.2.4 and analyzed with statistical package for social sciences version 26. The descriptive analysis was summarized by frequency, percent and summary statistics. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors and significance were considered when the p –value is less than 0.05 at 95% confidence interval in the multivariable logistic regression. Results: A total of 415 study subjects participated with a response rate of 98.1%. The median age of the participants was 56 years with an interquartile range of 18. Among study participants 208(50.1%) (95%CI: 45.1%-54.5%) had maladaptive coping strategy. Female sex (AOR=2.031, 95%CI:1.185-3.480), chronic medical illness (AOR=1.760, 95%CI:1.036-2.989), bilateral glaucoma (AOR=2.321, 95%CI: 1.328-4.055), receiving both drug and surgery treatment(AOR=1.895, 95%CI: 1.002-3.585), severe visual impairment(AOR=2.758, 95%CI:1.110-6.852), absolute glaucoma (AOR=2.543, 95%CI:1.048-6.169), duration of diagnosis >12 months (AOR=3.886, 95%CI: 2.2956.580) were significantly associated with maladaptive coping strategy.

Conclusion

and recommendation: Half of the participants had maladaptive coping strategy. It is better to integrate coping strategy care in to the current treatment of patients with glaucoma by giving advice to use positive coping strategies than maladaptive one. Keywords: Adult, Ethiopia, Gondar, Maladaptive coping strategy