4.1 Gender
A total of 98 persons participated in this study. The sample was drawn from the clinic’s glaucoma patient load of 3,963. Of the 98 respondents, Females represented 50 persons (51%) while Males consisted of 48 persons (49%).
Chart 4.1 presents the break down across gender.
4.2 Age of the Sample:
Consistent with the disease process of glaucoma as (mostly) an age-related condition; the findings indicated a skewing of participation toward the older age groups. Only 3 of the 98 participants were 40 or younger. 64 participants or (65.3 %) were 61 or older at the time of the study. Both Modal and mean age of the sample converge at 51 to 60 years.
Table 4.2 – Age of respondents
|
|
Frequency |
Percentage |
|
<= 40 years |
3 |
3.1 |
|
41 to 50 years |
12 |
12.2 |
|
51 to 60 years |
19 |
19.4 |
|
61 or older |
64 |
65.3 |
|
Total |
98 |
100.0 |
4.3 Educational Status of the sample:
Our findings suggest that 5 of the participants received vocational and or College-university education; While those who received Primary or all age education accounted for 74 persons (76.3 %) of the sample.
Table 4.3 – Education status of the sample
|
|
Count |
Percentage |
|
Primary or all age school |
74 |
76.3 |
|
Secondary, Comprehensive or High School |
18 |
18.6 |
|
Apprenticeship or Vocational school |
1 |
1.0 |
|
College or University |
4 |
4.1 |
|
Total |
97 |
100.0 |
4.4 Knowledge about glaucoma
We sought to develop an understanding of any knowledge or concern which the participants may have had about glaucoma prior to their being diagnosed with the disease. Only 8 of the 98 respondents were concerned about having glaucoma or becoming blind from the condition immediately prior to their being diagnosed with the disease. Interestingly: 50 (51%) of the participants visited the Eye Dr for a routine check up when they were diagnosed with glaucoma. A further 40 or 40.8% of the sample were experiencing pain or other discomfort when they were diagnosed.
Table 4.4 – Knowledge about Glaucoma
|
|
Frequency |
Percentage |
|
For a routine eye test |
50 |
51.0 |
|
Because of pain or other discomfort in the eye |
40 |
40.8 |
|
Fear of getting glaucoma |
2 |
2.0 |
|
fear of becoming blind |
6 |
6.1 |
|
Total |
98 |
100.0 |
4.5 Knowledge about glaucoma:
The researcher sought to establish the participants’ basic knowledge about glaucoma. A total of 86 participants responded to the questions, 42 females and 44 males.
In response to the (potentially) ambiguous statement that glaucoma affects persons 40 or older, 17 persons (19.8 %) said yes & 69 persons (80.2%) No. The wording of this option may have created a response dissonance in the mind of some respondents.
Table 4.5.1
|
|
Glaucoma affects persons 40 or older |
Total |
||||
|
Yes |
No |
|||||
|
Gender |
Female |
Count |
4 |
38 |
42 |
|
|
|
% within Gender |
9.50% |
90.50% |
100.00% |
||
|
% within Gender |
Male |
Count |
13 |
31 |
44 |
|
|
% within Gender |
70.50% |
9.50% |
|
|||
|
Total |
|
Count |
17 |
69 |
86 |
|
|
|
|
% |
19.80% |
80.20% |
100.00% |
|
In response to the factual statement that glaucoma can be controlled to prevent blindness, 68 persons (79.1 %) said yes & 18 persons (20.9%) said no. This response is presented in table 4.5.2 below:
Table 4.5.2
|
|
|
Can be controlled to prevent blindness |
Total |
||
|
|
No |
||||
|
Yes |
|||||
|
Gender |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Female |
Count |
38 |
4 |
42 |
|
|
|
90.50% |
9.50% |
100.00% |
||
|
% within Gender |
|||||
|
|
Count |
30 |
14 |
44 |
|
|
|
Male |
% within Gender |
68.20% |
32.80% |
100.00% |
|
% within Gender |
|
||||
|
Total |
Count |
68 |
18 |
86 |
|
|
|
79.10% |
20.90% |
100.00% |
||
|
% within Gender |
|||||
In response to the factual statement that: Sight lost to glaucoma cannot be regained, the sample was almost “split down the middle” 42 persons (48.8 %) correctly said Yes with 44 persons (51.2%) incorrectly replying No. This “split decision” is presented in table 4.5.3.
Table 4.5.3
|
|
|
Sight lost to glaucoma cannot be regained |
Total |
||
|
|
No |
||||
|
Yes |
|||||
|
Gender |
Female |
Count |
18 |
24 |
42 |
|
|
42.90% |
57.10% |
100.00% |
||
|
% within Gender |
|||||
|
|
Count |
24 |
20 |
44 |
|
|
Male |
% within Gender |
54.50% |
45.50% |
100.00% |
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Count |
42 |
44 |
86 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
||
The study sought to determine the extent to which superstition may be a factor in the participant’s knowledge about the condition. In response to the incorrect statement that Glaucoma can be cured by looking at the full moon, the participants were unanimous in saying no. This quite skewed response is presented in table 4.5.4
Table 4.5.4
|
|
|
Glaucoma can be cured by looking at the full moon |
Total |
||
|
|
No |
||||
|
Yes |
|||||
|
Gender |
Female |
Count |
0 |
42 |
42 |
|
|
0.00% |
100.00% |
100.00% |
||
|
% within Gender |
|||||
|
|
Count |
0 |
44 |
44 |
|
|
Male |
% within Gender |
0.00% |
100.00% |
100.00% |
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Count |
0 |
86 |
86 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
||
4.6 The Researcher sought to examine the attitude of participants to having glaucoma. Participants were asked to rank their feelings about having glaucoma. 96 persons responded as follows: 7 persons reported that they are very sad (7.3 %); 49 persons reported being Sad (51%); While 40 persons claim to be happy (41.7%). This rather interesting result is presented on table 4.6.1.
Table 4.6.1 – How do you feel about having glaucoma
|
|
|
How do you feel about having glaucoma? |
Total |
|||
|
|
Sad |
Happy |
||||
|
Very Sad |
||||||
|
Gender |
Female |
Count |
3 |
25 |
20 |
48 |
|
|
6.30% |
52.10% |
41.70% |
100.00% |
||
|
% within Gender |
||||||
|
|
Count |
4 |
24 |
20 |
48 |
|
|
Male |
% within Gender |
8.30% |
50.00% |
41.70% |
100.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Total |
Count |
7 |
49 |
40 |
96 |
|
|
|
7.30% |
51.00% |
41.70% |
100.00% |
||
|
Total |
||||||
4.6.2 The researcher sought to determine the extent to which parental concerns about glaucoma extended to the disease affecting their children. Participants were asked: Are you a parent? * If yes. How do you rate your concern that the child/children could inherit the condition? 87 respondents were parents. Of that # only 18 people (20.7 %) had no concerns. These findings are presented on table 4.6.2(a):
Table 4.6.2(a)
|
|
If yes. How do you rate your concern that the child/children could inherit the condition? |
Total |
||||||
|
|
A little concerned |
Concerned |
Very Concerned |
|||||
|
No Concern |
||||||||
|
Are you a parent? |
Yes |
Count |
18 |
16 |
46 |
7 |
87 |
|
|
|
20.70% |
18.40% |
52.90% |
8.00% |
100.00% |
|||
|
% within Are you a parent? |
||||||||
|
100.00% |
100.00% |
100.00% |
100.00% |
100.00% |
|
|||
We wanted to test the likely validity of the respondents’ feelings about their children developing glaucoma. Participants were asked: If you are a parent, have you told your child/children about your glaucoma? 87 participants responded that there are parents. 22 persons (25.3 %) said they did not tell their children about their condition. 65 persons (74.7 %) Said they told their children about their glaucoma. The findings are presented on tables 4.6.2. (B)
Table 4.6.2(B) Presenting responses of parents who have or have not told their children about their glaucoma:
|
|
If you are a parent, have you told your child/children about your glaucoma? |
Total |
|||
|
|
Yes |
||||
|
No |
|||||
|
Are you a parent? |
Yes |
Count |
22 |
65 |
87 |
|
|
25.30% |
74.70% |
100.00% |
||
|
% within Are you a parent? |
|||||
The study sought to measure the respondents social tendencies based on their status as glaucoma patients. Two variables were measured separately and presented comparatively: The participant’s willingness to tell others about glaucoma versus willingness to educate others about glaucoma. 92 participants responded to the question: Are you willing to tell others about your glaucoma? While 90 responded to the question: Are you willing to educate others about the disease. More than 83% of respondents were either willing or very willing to tell others or educate others about glaucoma. These findings are summarized on table 4.6.3.
Table 4.6.3 – Willingness to tell or educate others about glaucoma
|
|
Willingness To tell others Percent |
Willingness To educate others Percent |
|
|
Valid |
Very Unwilling |
7.6 |
6.7 |
|
|
Unwilling |
8.7 |
8.9 |
|
|
Willing |
53.3 |
60.0 |
|
|
Very Willing |
30.4 |
24.4 |
|
|
Total |
100.0 |
100.0 |
4.6.4 In an effort to determine the likely behaviour of respondents re effective management of their glaucoma, the study undertook a comparison of respondents’ feelings about having to use drops versus an offer of surgery to control glaucoma. 95 persons responded to the question:
How do you feel about having to use eye drops; While 88 participants responded to the question: How would you feel if the Doctor suggests that you undergo surgery. As table 4.6.4 indicates, a majority of participants seem more comfortable with the option of using eye drops to control their glaucoma; with 64.4% feeling good or very good about using eye drops and only 36.4% of participants feeling good or very good about the option of surgery.
Table 4.6.4 – Feelings about using eye drops daily and feelings about having surgery
|
|
Feeling about eye drops (Percent) |
Feelings about surgery (Percent) |
|
|
Valid |
Very Bad |
8.4 |
27.3 |
|
|
Bad |
23.2 |
36.4 |
|
|
Good |
64.2 |
28.4 |
|
|
Very Good |
4.2 |
8.0 |
|
|
Total |
100.0 |
100.0 |
Chapter 5 – Discussion of Findings