TY - JOUR
T1 - Beliefs and adherence to glaucoma treatment
T2 - A comparison of patients from diverse cultures
AU - Rees, Gwyneth
AU - Chong, Xue Ling
AU - Cheung, Carol Y.
AU - Aung, Tin
AU - Friedman, David S.
AU - Crowston, Jonathan G.
AU - Lamoureux, Ecosse L.
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - PURPOSE:: To determine adherence rates and beliefs about glaucoma and its treatment in white Americans, African Americans, white Australians, and Singaporeans of Chinese descent. PATIENTS AND METHODS:: Cross-sectional study of 475 glaucoma patients using topical eye drops for at least 6 months. The sample consisted of white Americans (n=133), African Americans (n=58), white Australians (n=107), and Singaporeans of Chinese descent (n=117). Self-reported adherence and beliefs about glaucoma and its treatment were assessed using the Reported Adherence to Medication scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and the Beliefs about Medicines-Specific Questionnaire. RESULTS:: Accounting for sociodemographic differences, significant differences in self-reported adherence rates were identified (P<0.001). White Americans and Australians reported significantly higher adherence (65.4%, 67.7% reported complete adherence) than African Americans or Singaporeans (56.9%, 47.5%, respectively; P<0.05). Beliefs about glaucoma treatment were predictive of adherence only in the Australian and white American samples (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:: In western cultures, attempts to improve adherence may benefit from greater examination of individual's concerns about, and perceived need, for glaucoma treatment. Further studies are needed to identify the critical predictors of adherence in nonwestern cultures and to validate measures in these populations.
AB - PURPOSE:: To determine adherence rates and beliefs about glaucoma and its treatment in white Americans, African Americans, white Australians, and Singaporeans of Chinese descent. PATIENTS AND METHODS:: Cross-sectional study of 475 glaucoma patients using topical eye drops for at least 6 months. The sample consisted of white Americans (n=133), African Americans (n=58), white Australians (n=107), and Singaporeans of Chinese descent (n=117). Self-reported adherence and beliefs about glaucoma and its treatment were assessed using the Reported Adherence to Medication scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and the Beliefs about Medicines-Specific Questionnaire. RESULTS:: Accounting for sociodemographic differences, significant differences in self-reported adherence rates were identified (P<0.001). White Americans and Australians reported significantly higher adherence (65.4%, 67.7% reported complete adherence) than African Americans or Singaporeans (56.9%, 47.5%, respectively; P<0.05). Beliefs about glaucoma treatment were predictive of adherence only in the Australian and white American samples (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:: In western cultures, attempts to improve adherence may benefit from greater examination of individual's concerns about, and perceived need, for glaucoma treatment. Further studies are needed to identify the critical predictors of adherence in nonwestern cultures and to validate measures in these populations.
KW - Adherence
KW - Belief
KW - Culture
KW - Glaucoma
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U2 - 10.1097/IJG.0b013e3182741f1c
DO - 10.1097/IJG.0b013e3182741f1c
M3 - Article
C2 - 23377584
AN - SCOPUS:84902296273
SN - 1057-0829
VL - 23
SP - 293
EP - 298
JO - Journal of glaucoma
JF - Journal of glaucoma
IS - 5
ER -