PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF GLAUCOMA AMOUNG PATIENT ATTENDING WOLKITE HEALTH CENTER EYE CARE UNIT GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA, (2025)

Abstract

Introduction Glaucoma accounts for over 1.9% of blindness worldwide, 15% of blindness in Africa which I shockingly high and 5.2% of blindness in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, it ranks as the fifth leading cause of blindness. There is scarce information on glaucoma in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of glaucoma and the factors that were associated to it in Wolkite Health Center's eye care unit, Gurage Zone, central Ethiopia. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and its associated factor of glaucoma in Wolkite health center eye care unit gurage zone central Ethiopia. Method An institutional based cross sectional study was employed from December 24/2024 up to January 6/2025. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study unit from patient who was visited ophthalmology. Data were collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 software. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors, A P-value of less than 0.05 was used as a cut of point to declare statistical significance in the multivariable analysis. Result A total of 302 study participants were involved in this study with a 92.1% response rate. The prevalence of glaucoma was 11.3% (95% CI: 7.9-15.4 14.5%). Age >65 (AOR:5.13 CI:1.76- 14.98), being hypertensive AOR =3.46, 95% CI: 1.27-10.15), positive family history of 9 glaucoma( AOR = 5.8, 95% CI 1.94-17.25) and positive history of smoking (AOR =4.18, 95% CI: 1.69-10.32) were significantly associated with glaucoma. Conclusion The overall magnitude of glaucoma in our study area was 11.3%. Older age, being hypertensive, positive family history of glaucoma, and a positive history of smoking were associated with glaucoma Work Plan and Budget: the total duration for this study was from December 09/2024 up to January 28/2025 and budget required for this study was 3074 (three thousand seventy four) Ethiopian Birr.