THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS ON UPTAKE OF GLAUCOMA SCREENING SERVICES AMONG ADULTS AGED 40 YEARS AND ABOVE IN IMO STATE
Amuneke, Chidinma L.*, Nwoke, Eunice A. Ibe, Sally N.O, Opara, Amarachi C. Anuforo, Joy O., Obioma-Elemba, Jacqueline E., Emmanuel Blessing O., Nwaozuzu Assumpta C.
ABSTRACT
Glaucoma is a global public eye health concern, being the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide after cataract. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on uptake of glaucoma screening services among adults aged 40 years and above in Imo state. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for the study. The study setting cut across the three senatorial zones of Imo State, located in southern Nigeria. A total of four hundred and eighty-two (482) adults that participated in the study were recruited via a probability multi-staged sampling technique, and a structured questionnaire was used to obtain information relevant to the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used for the analysis of the study, and the chi square test was used for testing the hypothesis (p > 0.05). Results from the study revealed that the most prevalent (37.6%) age group among the respondents was the age group between 60 and 69 years. The statistical relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics and the uptake of glaucoma screening services showed that the socio-demographic characteristics such as age (P=0.0027), level of education (P=0.0046), occupation (P=0.0332), and monthly income (P=0.0011) of the aged adults were all found to be significantly related to the uptake of glaucoma screening services. It was concluded that a number of factors influence the uptake of eye screening among older adults, including the individual’s perceived need for screening, access to eye care services, affordability of eye care services, and the presence of a support network. Regular ophthalmic care can curb blindness due to glaucoma to a certain extent. Hence, adults are expected to avail themselves of eye care services such as screening for glaucoma that promote early detection of ophthalmic problem. It is also recommended that public awareness of the importance of glaucoma screening be increased, as well as the government's provision of facilities to improve access to glaucoma screening services in Imo State.
Keywords: Glaucoma, Screening, Socio-demographic characteristics, Risk factors, Adults, Nigeria.
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