Magnitude of Maladaptive Coping Strategy and Its Associated Factors Among Adult Glaucoma Patients Attending Tertiary Eye Care Center in Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction Coping strategy is the mechanism by which patients adjust to the condition they face. It can be adaptive or maladaptive. A maladaptive coping strategy is a harmful and ineffective way of dealing with stress or anxiety. It is common among patients with chronic illnesses. Despite Ethiopia having a greater glaucoma prevalence, there was no evidence of patients with glaucoma using maladaptive coping mechanisms. Objective The main goal of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of maladaptive coping strategy use and the factors that associate with it among adult glaucoma patients enrolled in the Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center at the University of Gondar in Northwest Ethiopia in 2022. Methods and Materials At the University of Gondar, Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, a facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 423 glaucoma patients chosen by a systematic random sampling technique from May 15 to June 30, 2022. Optometrists conducted an interview with the study subject and reviewed the medical record, and administered a pretested, structured questionnaire of the brief cope inventory assessment. In the multivariable logistic regression, binary logistic regression was performed to identify the related factors, and significance was taken into account when the p-value was less than 0.05 at the 95% confidence interval. Results The study found that among study participants 50.1% (95% CI: 45.1–54.5%) had a maladaptive coping strategy. Female sex (AOR=2.031, 95% CI:1.185–3.480), chronic medical illness (AOR=1.760, 95% CI:1.036–2.989), bilateral glaucoma (AOR=2.321, 95% CI: 1.328–4.055), receiving both drug and surgery treatment (AOR=1.895, 95% CI: 1.002–3.585), severe visual impairment (AOR=2.758, 95% CI:1.110–6.852), absolute glaucoma (AOR=2.543, 95% CI:1.048–6.169), duration of diagnosis >12 months (AOR=3.886, 95% CI: 2.295–6.580) were significantly associated with a maladaptive coping strategy. Conclusion and Recommendation Half of the participants had a maladaptive coping strategy. It is better to set and plan strategies that enable the integration of coping strategy care into the current treatment of patients with glaucoma to encourage positive coping strategies instead of maladaptive ones.

Navigating the intersection of psychiatry and ophthalmology: A comprehensive review of depression and anxiety management in glaucoma patients

“…Additionally, addressing the stigma associated with vision loss and mental health issues, the constraint of time during medical appointments, limited access to mental health services, and the need for effective coping strategies further complicate the provision of comprehensive care. Birhan et al [ 54 ] conducted a cross-sectional study involving 423 glaucoma patients, revealing that 50.1% (95%CI: 45.1%-54.5%) of the surveyed individuals employed maladaptive coping strategies, potentially exacerbating mental health challenges. Conversely, Zhou et al [ 55 ] found a connection between improved mental health regulation and better self-management behavior in glaucoma patients in China.…”