Quality of Life for Patients with Glaucoma in the West Bank, Palestine: A Field Study رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Background: Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that impairs eyesight and negatively impacts quality of life. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness. Therefore, it is important to study the quality of life of affected patients in order to assist in early diagnosis and management. Aims: This study aims at determining the factors that influence the quality of life of glaucoma patients in the West Bank of Palestine. These factors include socio-economic variables such as gender, age, educational level, place of residence, occupation, income, private care, and health facility of care. This study also aims to explore how general health variables influence the quality of life of patients with glaucoma. These general health variables include general health, medical eye screening, type of glaucoma, having other chronic conditions, duration of chronic diseases, and family history of glaucoma. Methods and Participants: This is a mixed-methods research that included quantitative and qualitative parts. The quantitative part of this thesis included a survey utilizing the 15-item glaucoma Quality of Life scale as the outcome variable. The independent variables included sociodemographic factors and general health variables. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 100 glaucoma patients in the West Bank of Palestine. Statistical analysis included means and frequencies. ANOVA’s were used to compare means of continuous variables at a Statistically Significant P value ≤ to 0.05. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 glaucoma patients and included open ended questions about the symptoms, challenges, obstacles, and management of glaucoma from the perspective of the patients. Results: The quantitative part revealed that the glaucoma quality of life is worse among older patients, patients who are less educated, and among patients who were treated at a private clinic not specialized in ophthalmology. Patients with no private care also tended to have a worse quality of life compared to patients who had private care. Patients with good health have a better glaucoma quality of life than patients with poor health. The duration from the diagnosis of glaucoma is also related to VII quality of life. Patients who have been diagnosed with glaucoma for more than five years have worse quality of life than those who were diagnosed less than five years. Patients with longer duration of chronic diseases also have worse glaucoma quality of life compared to patients with shorter durations of chronic diseases. The qualitative part of this thesis revealed that glaucoma patients are facing several obstacles such as difficulties in managing daily activities especially driving at night. The qualitative interviews also revealed that patients are usually confused about their diagnosis and are in need of instruction and health education from professionals. Conclusions: This research revealed numerous factors that can impact the quality of life of glaucoma patients in Palestine. Health professionals, specialists, ophthalmologists, and health educators should be aware of how various socioeconomic and general health factors impact the quality of life of glaucoma patients in order to better diagnose, manage, guide, and educate patients for better health outcomes. Recommendations: Findings from this research will provide recommendations for health professionals, educators, and policy makers. Clinicians should be aware of the factors that influence the quality of life of glaucoma patients to explore them in clinical settings. This will allow clinicians to address and manage the factors that can negatively impact glaucoma patients’ lives. Health educators should guide glaucoma patients on how to manage their symptoms and overcome the challenges and obstacles they face because of their disease. Policy makers should provide access to assistive technologies that can help glaucoma patients lead a productive and comfortable lives.