Socio-economic impact of glaucoma among glaucoma patients in jimma medical center

Abstract

BACKGROUND -Glaucoma represents a group of diseases defined by a characteristic optic neuropathy that is consistent with changing of the connective tissue elements of the optic nerve head (also called the optic disc) and with loss of neural tissue associated with the eventual development of distinctive patterns of visual dysfunction. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. Glaucoma patients face daily challenges such as the inability to perform normal duties due to routines poor vision and restricted visual field. Like other chronic diseases, glaucoma needs lifelong follow-up that incurs direct and indirect costs. Aside from these challenges, psychological effects such as fear of getting blind, depression, and other forms of anxiety are experienced by glaucoma patients and affect the quality of life. OBJECTIVE –To determine the socio economic impact of glaucoma among glaucoma patients in Jimma medical center, south west Ethiopia Method- a cross sectional study design was conducted on glaucoma patient who have follow up in glaucoma clinic from June 1 to August 30 who full fill inclusion criteria. Data was analyzed by statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics was applied for the analysis of socio-demographic related characteristics of the study participants, patients related characteristics and cost related characteristics including such as mean, standard deviation (SD), medians and percentiles. Chi-square, T-Test and ANOVA was done to test association for categorical variables and continuous variables like association between socio-demographic and cost related variables, and patient’s related characteristics and cost related characteristics. Result - A total of 220 participants interviewed. Of 220 participants 150 (68.2%) were males and 70 (31.8%) were females. Majority 68 (30.9%) of participants were between age 61-70 years and mean age of participants is 57.13±14.077 (range 7-86). Near half 118 (53.6%) of participants earns between 400-1000 Ethiopian birr per month. Majority 163 (74.1%) of participant covered their own treatment by themselves. The average estimated income of participants which is range from zero (n=5, 2.3%) to 10000 ETB (n=2, 0.9%), with a mean of 1878.55 ETB. Two hundred fourteen (97.3%) of participants were on medical treatment with anti- glaucoma drugs at the time of interview and seventy (31.8%) undergo trab surgery. More than two third of participants who were on medical treatment (n=89, 40.5%) were on beta-blocker timolol. The monthly cost of medications was between 170 ETB and 1900 ETB, with an average of 550.89 ETB. Nine (4.1%) of the participants were afraid of their family members being diagnosed with glaucoma. Three (1.4%) of the participants were had a fear we are unable to buy medications. Three (1.4%) of participants were afraid loss of work due to their illness Conclusion; the most significant influence of glaucoma on patients in this study was the financial burden and patients spent around 29% of patient reported income for medication only. Patients who come from rural area spent 54.5 % of their reported income. The average cost of medication depend on severity of glaucoma, patients who had advanced glaucoma spent higher cost for medications than patients with early and moderate glaucoma A significant percentage of the participants also reported occupational, psychological and social influence of glaucoma on them