KNOWLEDGE OF GLAUCOMA AMONG

NURSES WORKING AT A
SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL IN
BANGLADESH

Asia Khatun
ID: 171-41-483
 BACKGROUND
 Glaucoma is usually, but not always, associated with elevated
pressure in the eye. Generally, it is this elevated eye pressure that
leads to damage of the eye (optic) nerve. In some cases, glaucoma
may occur in the presence of normal eye pressure. This form of
glaucoma is believed to be caused by poor regulation of blood
flow to the optic nerve (Eye foundation, 2014).

 If glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can progress to loss of

central vision and blindness. A major risk factor for glaucoma is a
family history of the disease. If a parent with glaucoma, risk of
glaucoma is three to five times the average risk. If have a sibling
with glaucoma, risk is seven to nine times the average risk. The
incidence of glaucoma also increases with age (Glaucoma news,
2013).
 JUSTIFICATION
Glaucoma blindness affects over 6.7 million people, ranking only
second to cataract (19.3 million) as a cause of blindness worldwide
(WHO, 1998).

The Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh,

has a population of over 1.3 billion people (IDB, 2004). The World Health
Organization estimates that the region is home to 23.5% of all blind
people, around 10.5 million people (Thylefors and Négrel 1995).

This study was aimed to assess the Knowledge of glaucoma among

nurses working at specialized hospital in Bangladesh. This study will
help to minimize the knowledge gap regarding glaucoma in the study
area.
 RESEARCH QUESTION

 What is the level of Knowledge of glaucoma among

nurses working at a specialized hospital in
Bangladesh?
 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
General Objective
 To investigate the knowledge of glaucoma among the nurses in national
institute of ophthalmology (NIO) Bangladesh

Specific Objectives
 To find out the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents
 To assess the knowledge on causes of glaucoma among the nurses in the
selected hospital
 To assess the knowledge on sign and symptoms of glaucoma among the
nurses in the selected hospital
 To explore the association between different variables
 METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
This was cross-sectional type of study.

STUDY POPULATION
The target population were all the nurses in national institute of
ophthalmology and hospital, Dhaka Bangladesh.

PERIOD OF STUDY
Study was carried out from January to April 2018.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
The researcher used purposive sampling technique.
Sample size
 Sample size was determined using below formula
 n=Z2pq/d2
 Where n=sample size
 z=1.96
 p=51%=0.51 (A similar study from Pakistan conducted by Khawaja et
al., 2017 reported the knowledge proportion of 51% among the
healthcare providers).
 q= (1-p) =1-0.51=0.49
 d=0.05
 According to this formula sample size was calculated as 384.0
 However due to lack of time and funds 150 study samples were
selected purposively.
 DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

 The data was collected from the respondents using

self-administered semi-structured questionnaire, after
taking verbal consent form the participants.

 The data was analysed using statistical program for

social science (SPSS) version 20. Data was presented in
form of tables, graphs, followed by interpretation of the
results.
RESULTS
Age (years) Frequency Percent

≤27 19 12.7

28-38 90 60.0

39-49 38 25.3

≥50 3 2.0

Total 150 100.0

Mean± SD 33.21±9.11
 36%

64%

Male Female
 61%
60%

50% 39%
40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Urban Rural
 12%

88%

Married Unmarried
90%

80%
88%
70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%
8%
10% 1% 3%
0%

Muslim Hindu Christian Buddhist

50%

45%
50%
40%

35%

30%

25%
40%
20%

15%

10%
10%

5%

0%

Diploma B.Sc in Nursing Masters

70%
60%
50%
40%
62%
30%
20%
20% 18%
10%
0%
<5 years 5-10 years >10 years
Income (taka) Frequency Percent

<25000 30 20.0

26000-36000 100 66.7

37000-47000 14 9.3

≥4800 6 4.0

Total 150 100.0

Mean 29020.6±4038.9
Variables Yes No
n (%) n (%)
Age over 45 years may cause glaucoma 101(67.3) 49(32.7)
Family history of glaucoma 99(66.0) 51(44.0)
Black racial ancestry is a risk of glaucoma 89(59.3) 61(40.7)
Diabetes can cause glaucoma 121(80.7) 29(19.3)
History of elevated intraocular pressure may cause 61(40.7) 89(59.3)
glaucoma
Nearsightedness, which is the inability to see distant 78(52.0) 72(48.0)
objects clearly causes glaucoma
Glaucoma might be due to history of injury to the eye 133(88.6) 17(11.3)
Use of cortisone, either in the eye or systemically (orally 51(44.0) 99(66.0)
or injected) can cause glaucoma
Farsightedness, which is seeing distant objects better 75(50.0) 75(50.0)
than close ones might cause glaucoma
Variables Yes No
Patients with open-angle glaucoma have no symptoms 144(96.0) 6(4.0)
early in the course of the disease
Visual field loss is not a symptom until late in the course 89(59.3) 61(40.7)
of the disease.
Open-angle glaucoma is painless and does not have 111(74.0) 39(26.0)
acute attacks
The only signs are gradually progressive visual field loss 72(48.0) 78(52.0)
and optic nerve changes
Acute angle closure characterized by sudden ocular pain 99(66.0) 51(44.0)
Red eye, very high intraocular pressure can be a sign of 121(80.7) 29(19.3)
glaucoma
Nausea and vomiting might be a sign of glaucoma 133(88.6) 17(11.3)
Suddenly decreased vision, and a fixed, mid-dilated 78(52.0) 72(48.0)
pupil can be a sign of glaucoma
Level Level of knowledge
N (%)
Good 37(24.7)
Satisfactory 99(66.0)
Poor 14(9.3)
Total 150(100.0)

Key to the knowledge scores

Good…… (70-100%)
Satisfactory… (50-69%)
Poor………… (0-49%)
 Knowledge about Glaucoma Statistics
Variables Good Satisfactory Poor Total
Age (years)
≤27 7 10 2 19 X2=18.901
28-38 10 75 5 90 P=0.097
39-49 17 14 7 38
≥50 3 0 0 3
Educational qualification
Diploma 2 64 9 75 X2=23.202
B.Sc. in nursing 25 30 5 60 P=0.001
Masters 10 5 0 15
Years of experience
<5 years 2 17 11 30 X2=27.232
5-10 years 15 77 1 93 P=0.002
>10 years 20 5 2 27
Total 37 99 14 150
 CONCLUSION
Our findings reveals that about 88.6 percent mentioned that glaucoma
might be due to history of injury to the eye and however 44 percent said
the use of cortisone, either in the eye or systemically (orally or injected)
can cause glaucoma.

It also reveals that more than nine-tenths of the respondents mentioned
that patients with open-angle glaucoma have no symptoms early in the
course of the disease and about 59.3 percent of the respondents said visual
field loss is not a symptom until late in the course of the disease.

It further reveals that the majority (66%) of the respondents had
satisfactory level of knowledge about glaucoma. Nevertheless the level of
knowledge was found to be significantly associated with educational
qualification and years of professional experience.
 RECOMMENDATION
 Nurses should have appropriate training
regarding the glaucoma sign and symptoms,
causes, prevention and management.

 Our study recommends that there is a need to

carry out a survey through rapid assessment to
determine the extent of lack of glaucoma
knowledge and awareness at a large scale.
THANK YOU