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Background: Community eye outreach (CEO) screening is an important model which has been widely employed to detect eye conditions such as cataract and glaucoma in high-risk groups. There is a dearth of data on the eye care practices of glaucoma patients identified using this model in South West Nigeria. Objectives: The aim of this article is to assess the eye care practices, knowledge, and attitudes of glaucoma patients/suspects identified at CEO screenings in Nigeria. Design of the Study: This was a mixed method study with quantitative and qualitative approaches. Setting in Which the Study Took Place: The study was carried out at 24 outreach screening centres in communities in Oyo and Osun states. Materials and Methods: The quantitative component of this study was a cross-sectional survey of patients with suspected glaucoma identified at routine CEO in South West Nigeria. Surveys were administered by trained personnel and gathered information on knowledge and attitudes towards glaucoma. The qualitative component consisted of structured interviews with providers to assess their knowledge and perspectives of glaucoma patients' attitudes and behaviours. Results: A total of 1881 patients were screened at 24 outreach screenings in South West Nigeria, among which 120 glaucoma cases/suspects were identified. Fifty-six (46.7%) of the glaucoma patients were aware of glaucoma, but only 39 (32.5%) patients could answer at least one knowledge question correctly. Predictors of awareness of glaucoma were minimum of secondary school education [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 8.76; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.18-24.13] and having had an eye check-up in the past (adjusted OR 5.87; 95% CI 1.92 - 17.92). Patients said cost and 'not knowing the disease was serious' were reasons for not following up at the main hospital. Health workers interviewed said that cost and poor knowledge were the main reasons glaucoma patients frequently attended free outreach screening events rather than seeking definitive care. Conclusion: Although CEO screenings improve access to eye care, provision of appropriate health education programs and strengthening of the health insurance scheme are needed to improve its impact in glaucoma care.
RESUMEN
AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness and knowledge of glaucoma and the proportion of people with glaucoma among participants of a 1-day urban eye outreach programme. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey. Data, collected by means of a structured questionnaire, included participants' demographic details, and awareness, knowledge and ocular status as regards glaucoma. Publicity for the outreach was created through the mass media (radio stations and television), churches, handbills, posters and different hospital staff. Data analysis was by Statistical Package for Social SciencesV.20.0. Associations between participants' demographic and other details were tested using Pearson's χ2 test, and a p value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventy-eight (93.2%) of the 513 people in attendance were eligible and consented to participate. Awareness, knowledge and proportion of people with glaucoma in the study population were 65.5%, 36.8% and 14.5%, respectively. Awareness was significantly associated with attainment of some formal education, awareness of a positive family history, and having had an eye check prior to the outreach. The mass media was the most common information source. Good knowledge level was significantly associated with higher educational attainment and occupation, whereas proportion of people with glaucoma was significantly associated with increasing age. CONCLUSION: Improving awareness with suitable content for the target population through effective means such as the mass media may be a veritable first step in combating blindness from glaucoma.