Awareness towards glaucoma and its associated factors among adult clients in Ophthalmology department of Gurage zone hospitals(2023) Name of investigators:

Abstract

Background: Awareness of glaucoma is directly affected by good eye screening practice which in turn helps for reduction of the blindness burden of glaucoma. However, it is unknown in the study area, making provision of interventions difficult. This study was intended to assess awareness of glaucoma and associated factors among adults in Gurage zone hospitals, South Ethiopia. Objective: Our research aims to assess Awareness towards glaucoma and associated factors among adult clients in Ophthalmology department of Gurage zone hospitals (2023 GC) Method and Materials: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult client who visits Ophthalmology department of Gurage zone hospitals. Paper based interview and standardized structured questionnaire was used to collect data after verbal informed consent. Data collection was conducted May 15 up to May 29. The collected data was cleaned, coded and entered in to SPSS version 26. Errors related to inconsistency was minimized using cross tabulation. The results were presented in narrative, tables, and graphs. Furthermore, logistic regression, specifically binary and multivariable logistic regression, analysis was used to identify factors related awareness towards glaucoma among patients. Result: A total of 179 study participants were involved making response rate of 94.22%. More than half of the respondents 97 (54.2%) were male. The proportion of awareness of glaucoma was 44%, with 95% CI [32.44-55.56], it was positively associated with educational status: primary and secondary education [AOR:1.9,1.1-2.8], college and above[AOR:2.06,1.3-3.1], and history of chronic diseases, HTN [AOR:0.6,0.1-3.7]. place of residence [AOR: 0.68,0.24-1.8]. Conclusion: The Level of awareness towards glaucoma was low Mean glaucoma awareness score were 44%, with 95% CI (32.44%-55.56%) in this population. The level of awareness towards glaucoma in this study were strongly associated to Level of education of respondents (AOR =2.06(1.3-3.1, 0.001)). The study findings imply the need for health education about the glaucoma to effectively aware clients, and prevent blindness due to the disease.