Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward glaucoma and its management among adult Saudi patients

Waleed A Al Rashed; Abdulelah S Bin Shihah; Abdulrahman S Alhomoud; Muteb M Alharbi; Asem M Shadid; Mushref A Alghamdi; Alanoud Alfaris; Ahmad W Alrashed; Essam A Osman; Rajiv Khandekar

doi:10.4103/1319-4534.322596

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward glaucoma and its management among adult Saudi patients

Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2021 Jul 29;34(4):261-265. doi: 10.4103/1319-4534.322596. eCollection 2020 Oct-Dec.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Family Medicine (IMSIU), King Saud University (KSA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Ophthalmology (IMSIU), King Saud University (KSA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Dermatology (IMSIU), King Saud University (KSA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Medical Complex: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Medical Student, College of Medicine, King Saud University (KSA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine King Saud University (KSA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ Ophthalmic Epidemiology and Low Vision Services at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Purpose: To present the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) for glaucoma management and their determinants among adult Saudi patients.

Methods: The study was conducted between January and June 2017. Glaucoma patients from the ophthalmology clinic were interviewed. Demographics and disease-related information were noted. The questionnaire included four K questions, seven A questions, and six P squestions. The correct response of questions were summed for K, A, and P, and the percentile was calculated. K and P scores were graded as excellent (more than >75%), good (51%-75%), poor (26%-50%), and very poor (≤25%). If A score was >50%, it was termed as positive.

Results: We interviewed 263 adult glaucoma patients. Their mean age was 61.6 ± 14.2 years. The excellent grade of knowledge about glaucoma and its management was 63 (24% [95% confidence interval (CI) 18.8-29.1]). Poor grade of knowledge was 95 (36.1% [95% CI 30.3-41.9]). The attitude toward glaucoma and its management was positive in 89 (33.8% [95% CI 28.1-39.6]). The practice to manage glaucoma was of excellent grade in 10 (3.8% [95% CI 1.5-6.1]). The overall excellent grade of KAP glaucoma patients was 17.9% (13.2-22.5). Good practice for glaucoma management was associated with a history of glaucoma surgery (P < 0.001), longer duration of glaucoma (P = 0.02), and young age (P = 0.004).

Conclusions: Low KAP about glaucoma disease and medication among Saudi glaucoma patients is a matter of concern. Strategies are needed to improve the KAP of glaucoma patients.

Keywords: Attitude and practice; glaucoma; knowledge; visual disabilities.