5.1 In an effort to test our hypothesis that a majority of glaucoma patients at the FISH Medical Clinic Jamaica have a positive attitude toward glaucoma, we interviewed 98 glaucoma patients based on a systematic random sampling of a study population of 3,963 glaucoma patients of the Eye Department, FISH Medical Clinic, during April & May 2010. With out drawing any conclusions, the researcher notes that the gender breaks down among participants suggest an approximate symmetry between the gender balance in the wider national population, and the study population. Of the 98 respondents, Females represented 50 persons (51%); while Males consisted of 48 persons (49%) – Ref chart 4.1).
5.2 Further, we note high levels of similarity between the anticipated disease processes of glaucoma in the wider population, and the study population. That 64 participants or (65.3 %) were 61 or older at the time of the study is suggestive of possible symmetry between the epidemiological profile of glaucoma in the wider population, and the study population (glaucoma patients) at the FISH Medical Clinic.
5.3 The findings highlight that the overwhelming majority of study participants were educated up to the primary or all age levels of the school system. That segment of the sample accounted for 74 persons (76.3 %) of the sample. This could have implications for the participants cognitive and (by extension) affective and behavioural tendencies toward glaucoma.
5.4 In an attempt to determine the knowledge basis underlying participants’ attitude toward having glaucoma, we examined their basic knowledge about the disease prior to being diagnosed and post their diagnosis. We find it potentially significant that, 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. This could be suggestive of (possible) high levels of distress and a negative response to a diagnosis of glaucoma.
5.5 The finding that 17 participants believe that glaucoma affects persons 40 years or older while 69 participants disagreed is understandable, in that, while the disease is (primarily) a disease of aging, a small minority of persons develop glaucoma before their 40th birth day. This researcher believes that the statement should be presented with greater clarity in future studies.
5.6 The finding that 68 persons (79.1 %) of the sample are in agreement with the factual statement that glaucoma can be controlled to prevent blindness, is suggestive of a likely positive: knowledge, attitude and behaviour in response to being diagnosed with the condition.
5.6.1 This finding is tempered by a further finding that 42 persons (48.8 % of respondents to this question) correctly said Yes with 44 persons (51.2%) incorrectly replying no, to the factual statement that: Sight lost to glaucoma cannot be regained. This finding suggests some degree of confusion, among participants regarding prognosis of glaucoma.
5.7 Given the relatively low level of education attained by the majority of participants, one would have expected to find some evidence of superstition in the sample understands of the causes of glaucoma. While steering at the full moon is not the only possible evidence of likely superstitious belief among glaucoma patients, the research found 100% rejection of our incorrect statement that Glaucoma can be cured by looking at the full moon.
5.8 In attempting to measure the attitude of participants to having glaucoma, participants were asked to rank their feelings about having the disease. The researcher is some what bemused by the finding that 58.3% of the sample are (understandably) very sad or sad that they have glaucoma; While 40 participants or 40.7% of the sample are claiming to be happy or very happy. While this finding may point to the presence of a number of uncontrolled variables, it is noteworthy that the majority of participants expressed psychologically understandable states of affect on account of them being diagnosed with a chronic condition which could lead to blindness.
5.9 The research measured aspects of the participants’ social disposition, on account of them being glaucoma patients. The study found a very strong relationship between having the disease and concern that the children of affected persons could develop the condition. 87 respondents were parents. Of that # only 18 people (20.7 %) had no concerns. The fact that more than 78% of parents in the study are concerned that their children could develop the condition is a positive indicator of likely social action to help their children learn more about glaucoma.
5.9.1 This finding appears to be corroborated by the finding that only 22 persons (25.3 % (of the 87 parents in the sample) said they did not tell their children about their condition. 65 persons (74.7 %) Said they told their children about their glaucoma. This is further indication of the willingness of affected persons to take action to protect their children from becoming blind from the condition.
5.10 We extended the measurement of the participants’ social tendencies based on their status as glaucoma patients, out side the immediate family environment; by seeking to measure their willingness to tell others about glaucoma versus willingness to educate others about the disease. We found that more than 83% of respondents were either willing or very willing to tell others or educate others about glaucoma. This finding is very suggestive of a strong positive attitude and behaviour toward glaucoma, by the participants in the study.
5.11 The research sought to measure the participants’ behaviour in respect of treatment options re management and control of glaucoma. 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. This finding is most important re development of future education programmers, aimed at enhancing knowledge, attitude, practices and behaviour re management and control of glaucoma. The findings suggest that: While the majority of participants are positively disposed toward managing their condition with medicines, they may not be aware of the long term benefits of surgery in helping to prevent further loss of sight from glaucoma.
5.12 At a macro level of analysis, we used the riley calculator to determine that the Margin of error of this study is 9.8%. This is based on a sample of ninety eight respondents taken from a clinic- based glaucoma case load of 3,963. While the margin of error is outside the optimal + or – 2.5%, it provides a basis for more in-depth studies, using a more representative sample, taken from a wider population.
We sought to test our hypothesis that a majority of glaucoma patients at the FISH Medical Clinic Jamaica have a positive Attitude toward the condition. At a 95% confidence level, the confidence interval is 3.02. Therefore statistics show that at a 95% confidence level between 69% and 75% of glaucoma patients at the FISH Medical Clinic Jamaica has a positive attitude towards their condition.
We then subjected the universal variable of gender and the attitude variable to a chi square test in an effort to establish goodness of fit or other wise re the attitude of the entire sample to their condition as glaucoma patients. Chi Square Test Gender vs. Feelings about Glaucoma Chi square value = 0.678 with one degree of freedom, p = .410. The probability value outside of .1 to .5 is a rejection of our hypothesis that Glaucoma patients have a positive attitude to a diagnosis of glaucoma. Given the trends to the contrary as per the raw data, the data collected may provide a useful basis for further analysis, to determine the best course of action, in the development and implementation of future studies in this area. Future studies should give due attention to the attainment of sufficiently high power, in order to enhance reliability of outcome.
This researcher extends appreciation to Psychologists and academic Dr Denis Edwards (University Of The West Indies, Mona Campus) for his guidance and expertise in the execution of this study.
References