Medication Adherence Among Glaucoma Patients Attending Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital In The Asante Region

ABSTRACT Introduction Glaucoma is a chronic disease with no symptoms initially, and is therefore susceptible to patient’s non-adherence to prescribed therapy. Glaucoma affects more than three million people in Africa. This study sought to assess adherence to medication among glaucoma patients. Methods: A cross sectional study design was used to systematically survey one-hundred and thirty respondents from the Eye Clinic of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Full informed consent was obtained from participants. Data was analyzed using STATA version 14.0. Summary statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were computed. Pearson’s chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression were used to determine associations and effect of factors on medication adherence respectively. Results This study showed an overall level of adherence of 31% among respondents of the study. Glaucoma medication adherence was significantly influenced by presence of primary care giver (p=0.041); not given instructions on how to instill medication (p=0.001); not understanding instructions for instilling medication (p=0.001); not providing alternative source of clarification on instructions (p=0.001). Also, having access to monthly salary (p=0.001) and salary (p=0.001) were significant. Conclusion Level of adherence of glaucoma medication among respondents was low in this study. Factors such as lack of clear and detailed instructions on instilling glaucoma medication influenced level of medication adherence. More eye health care practitioners must be trained by the government as a policy especially ophthalmic nurse to educate the general population on the importance of medication adherence in glaucoma.