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The cost and quality of life impact of glaucoma in Tanzania: An observational study.

ABSTRACT: AIMS:To determine the cost and quality of life impact imposed by glaucoma in Tanzania, East Africa. METHODS:An expert panel of eye health professionals was convened to agree current glaucoma practice in Tanzania. In addition a structured patient survey was developed and administered. Supplemental cost and quality of life information was collected using cost questionnaires and validated quality of life measures, including the EQ5D and VFQ-25. RESULTS:Key findings include following. Non-adherence is a major issue, especially in rural settings where over 50% of the patients may fail to return for review. Whilst medical therapy is overwhelmingly the first line treatment, the cost of maintaining this represents up to 25% of a patient's income. There is an impact of glaucoma on patients general well-being as determined by the EQ-5D and more tellingly on visual function with particular impact on role limitations as determined by the VF25. Despite our sample being taken in a private clinic and thus containing a much larger proportion of professionals than the general population, one third of the population earned Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) 170,000 per month which is below the minimum wage. CONCLUSION:These findings are of great importance for health care planners seeking to determine cost-effective, acceptable methods of both identifying and treating this major cause of preventable blindness.

SUBMITTER: Murdoch I

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7263578 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The cost and quality of life impact of glaucoma in Tanzania: An observational study.

Murdoch Ian I Smith Andrew F AF Baker Helen H Shilio Bernadetha B Dhalla Kazim K

PloS one 20200601 6

<h4>Aims</h4>To determine the cost and quality of life impact imposed by glaucoma in Tanzania, East Africa.<h4>Methods</h4>An expert panel of eye health professionals was convened to agree current glaucoma practice in Tanzania. In addition a structured patient survey was developed and administered. Supplemental cost and quality of life information was collected using cost questionnaires and validated quality of life measures, including the EQ5D and VFQ-25.<h4>Results</h4>Key findings include fol ...[more]

PMID: 32479506

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Project description:ObjectiveChildhood glaucoma is a chronic vision-threatening condition that may significantly impact an individual's psychosocial well-being. There is a paucity of literature investigating the quality of life (QoL) in children with glaucoma. The aim of this study was to investigate and report on the QoL issues encountered by children with glaucoma.DesignThis is a qualitative interview study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. NVivo V.12 software (QSR International Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia) was used to analyse and code data to identify QoL themes. The prominence of QoL themes was determined by the number of children who raised issues connected to the corresponding theme.SettingInterviews were conducted via telephone or videoconferencing between April 2020 and July 2021.ParticipantsEighteen children with glaucoma, aged 8-17 years, who resided in Australia, were recruited from the Australian and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma.ResultsMedian child age was 12.1 years (IQR: 9.7-14.5 years) and 33% were female. Seven QoL themes were identified: 'coping', 'inconveniences' and 'emotional well-being' were more prominent themes than 'symptoms', 'ocular health concerns', 'social well-being' and 'autonomy'. Adaptive coping strategies included resilience throughout clinical examinations and establishing positive relationships with ophthalmologists. These minimised inconveniences related to clinic waiting times and pupillary dilatation. External to the clinical setting, children often dissociated from their glaucoma but struggled with glare symptoms and feeling misunderstood by fellow peers. Older children aged 13-17 years commonly disengaged from their glaucoma care and expressed an unwillingness to attend ophthalmic appointments. Older children further raised issues with career options, obtaining a driver's licence and family planning under the theme of autonomy.ConclusionsThe psychosocial impact of childhood glaucoma extends beyond the clinical environment and was minimised using coping strategies. Older children may require additional social and ophthalmic support as they transition into adulthood.

Dataset Information

The cost and quality of life impact of glaucoma in Tanzania: An observational study.

Publications

The cost and quality of life impact of glaucoma in Tanzania: An observational study.

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