Assessment of Adherence to Ocular Hypotensive Agents among Glaucoma Patients in Menelik II Referral Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2015-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Without good adherence and appropriate administration technique of hypotensive agents, an elevated intraocular pressure leads to progressive optic nerve degeneration and visual field deterioration. Investigations of adherence and administration technique are very crucial in glaucoma management. The purpose of this study was to assess adherence to ocular hypotensive agents among glaucoma patients in Menelik II Referral Hospital. A hospital-based prospective cross sectional study was conducted on359 patients. Eligible patients were interviewed and their medical charts were reviewed form June 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015 using a pretested structured questionnaire. The rates of adherence and appropriate administration technique were 42.6% and 17.3% respectively. Higher educational level, being self-employed and taking lesser frequency of pilocarpine were significantly associated with adherence while being a farmer, having very low monthly family income and self-purchasing of medications were significantly but inversely associated with adherence. Being a female, having advanced glaucoma and more frequent follow-uphad an important role in deciding appropriate administration technique. In contrary, patients with primary angle closure and open angle glaucoma, who had immediately administered their consecutive dose, had experienced side effect, and had low vision were significantly associated with inappropriate administration technique. Moreover, the odds of being adherent for patients who appropriately administered their medications were almost three-fold greater compared to those who did not administer adequately. In conclusion, both adherence and administration technique were sub-optimal and poor and tailored educational interventions according to the modifiable patient’s and clinical characteristics are required.
Key Words: Adherence, Administration Technique, Ocular Hypotensive Agents, Glaucoma
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Adherence, Administration Technique, Ocular Hypotensive Agents