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Abstract #22592 Published in IGR 11-1
Knowledge about glaucoma and barriers to follow-up care in a community glaucoma screening program
Altangerel U; Nallamshetty HS; Uhler T; Fontanarosa J; Steinmann WC; Almodin JM; Chen BH; Henderer JDCanadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2009; 44: 66-69
OBJECTIVE: To assess perceived barriers to glaucoma follow-up care, including the lack of glaucoma knowledge and the lack of health care access, among participants in a community glaucoma screening program. DESIGN: Community survey. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty-three consecutive participants in a series of free glaucoma screenings between November 2002 and August 2003. METHODS: The survey consisted of 20 questions designed to elicit knowledge of glaucoma and perception of potential barriers to follow-up care. Our aim was to find correlations between patient demographics and knowledge of glaucoma as well as perceived potential barriers to follow-up care. The data were analyzed using SPSS, v. 10.1. RESULTS: The average age of the respondents was 70 years, and females predominated (66%). About half of the respondents knew of an eye doctor in their neighborhood, and 60% had had an eye examination in the past year. Two hundred twenty-two (91%) indicated they could get to an eye doctor if the screening examination indicated they needed a follow-up examination. Two hundred twenty (90.5%) had medical insurance. One hundred seventy-eight (73%) of the participants had heard of glaucoma; 71 (29%) identified an accurate definition of glaucoma. The level of education and the language spoken at home were correlated with both glaucoma awareness (p < 0.001; p < 0.001) and knowledge of an accurate definition of glaucoma (p < 0.001; p < 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: In this population, a lack of adequate education about glaucoma may be more significantly associated with poor follow-up rates than a lack of access to care in those identified as glaucoma suspects.
Classification:
1.6 Prevention and screening (Part of: 1 General aspects)
