Follow-up and adherence to glaucoma care by newly diagnosed glaucoma patients in enugu, nigeria

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To determine uptake, adherence and influencing factors to follow-up care by newly diagnosed glaucoma patients from free eye screening exercise.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey of newly diagnosed glaucoma patients during free eye screenings carried out in March and October, 2016 in Enugu, Nigeria. Data on participants were analyzed after a minimum of 6 months from the screening for uptake and adherence to follow-up care. Qualifying patients had questionnaires administered to them by phone interview. Information requested regards awareness, knowledge on diagnosis as well as reasons for non-uptake and non-adherence.

Results: 182 newly diagnosed glaucoma patients were included of which 121 (66.5%) were males, with median age of 50years.About 164 (90.1%) had at least a primary education. There were more self- employed persons 59 (32.4%) compared to other occupations. Uptake of follow up care was 17.6% (32/182). Adherence rate was 25% (8/32). Major reasons for non-uptake were lack of funds 54.9% (n = 50/91), distance 11% (n = 10/91) and receiving care from other facilities 11.0% (n = 10/91). Others include discourteous staff behavior and lack of information on diagnosis. Similarly, major reasons for non-adherence were lack of funds 44.4% (n = 8/18) and distance 22.2% (n = 4/18). Knowledge and prior awareness of glaucoma were found to be significantly associated with uptake of follow up care (p = 0.020).

Conclusion: Uptake and adherence to follow-up was found to be low in this study population mainly attributed to cost, distance and poor knowledge of glaucoma natural history. Reviewing cost/out of pocket expenditure, providing care closer to patients, adequate education of staff and patients may significantly improve uptake of care after initial diagnosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Follow up
• adherence
• glaucoma care
• eye screening

Disclosure statement

The author has no proprietary interests or conflicts of interest related to this submission.

This submission has not previously been published anywhere and it is not simultaneously being considered for any other publication.

Additional information

Funding

There was no funding for the study but support for the outreach came from the following pharmaceutical companies. ● Biogeneric Nigeria Limited ● Hess Pharmaceuticals Ltd ● Alpha Pharmacy Ltd ● Oculus Pharmacy Ltd ● Altinez Vision Ltd ● Micronova Pharmacy Ltd ● Linkabs Pharmaceuticals Ltd Phone Calls to participants was funded by The Eye Specialists Hospital(TESH), Enugu.