Socio-demographic factors that predispose people to glaucoma among the patients receiving eye care services in the eye clinic at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH). A cross-sectional study.

Sumaya  Matama; Norman  Ndhikuno; Samuel  Ajwika

doi:10.51168/0nvr1p38

Authors

Sumaya Matama Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School, Jinja. Author
Norman Ndhikuno Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School, Jinja. Author
Samuel Ajwika Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School, Jinja Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/0nvr1p38

Keywords:

Glaucoma, eye care services, irreversible blindness, socio-demographic factors

Abstract

Background

Glaucoma is an ocular disease that leads to irreversible blindness. The study aims to identify the socio-demographic factors that predispose people to glaucoma among the patients receiving eye care services in the eye clinic at JRRH.

Methodology

A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted because data were collected at one point in time. A non-probability convenience sampling process was used since a specific group of patients with glaucoma was required among patients above 40 years of age receiving eye health services at JRRH.

Results

The majority (70%) of the respondents were married, 20% had separated from spouses, then the widows were 8.33% and 1.67% singles. Based on the places of residence, people who live in villages scored a percentage of 75% and those in town scored a percentage of 25%. Based on the nature of occupation, the self-employed scored the highest percentage of 33.33%, followed by business people with a percentage of 25% then civil servants with a percentage of 18.33% and finally others with a percentage of 23.33%. The uneducated scored the highest percentage of 70%, followed by diploma and certificate holders with the same percentage of 13.33% and finally the degree holders with a percentage of 3.33%.

Conclusion

The significant socio-demographic factors predisposing people to glaucoma are age above 40 years and living in rural areas.

Recommendation

The District Health Services should create awareness among the public regarding the disease.

All health workers should educate all diagnosed patients with glaucoma on the causes, effects, and prevention of glaucoma.

Author Biographies

Sumaya Matama, Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School, Jinja.

a student training for a Diploma in Clinical Ophthalmology at Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School.
Norman Ndhikuno, Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School, Jinja.

is a tutor at the Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School.
Samuel Ajwika, Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School, Jinja

is a Principal at Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School.

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