Knowledge And Perception Of Patients Of Children Living With Congenital Glaucoma At Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana

ABSTRACT

Congenital glaucoma is a major public health issue because visually impaired children have a lifetime of blindness ahead of them with its associated emotional, social and economic cost to the child, family and society. The study sought to assess the level of knowledge and perception of parents of children with congenital Glaucoma seeking care at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The study was undertaken at Komfo Anokye teaching hospital. A mixed method design comprising of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents and twenty (20) guardians for focused group discussion was conducted. The purposive and convenient sampling methods were used respectively. A structured questionnaire and an interview guide were also used as the collecting tool. The chi-square analysis and ordinal logistic regression was used to test for associations between demographic characteristics level of knowledge and effect of factors on congenital glaucoma. Data obtained from the focused group was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results showed that more than half of the respondents (52%) had moderate level of knowledge on congenital glaucoma and 24% had low level of knowledge. Majority of the respondents 86.7% were of the view that congenital glaucoma can be treated with surgery. More than half of the respondents had their source of information from the media (58.3%), and (33.3%) from the hospital. The study found significant associations between level of knowledge on congenital glaucoma and religion (p= 0.002), ethnicity (p=0.001) and occupation (p=0.001) of respondents. Perception of respondents on congenital glaucoma was poor as most reported that it is caused by spiritual powers and it cannot be managed. The study observed an average level knowledge of parents/guardians on congenital glaucoma. Most guardians/caregivers did not have positive perception on congenital glaucoma and the primary sources of information to guardians were from the media and hospital. Ministry of health must place ophthalmic nurses at various antenatal and postnatal clinics for early identification and management of congenital glaucoma cases.