Impact of Health Literacy and Other Factors on Glaucoma Patient Adherence in South India
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine how health literacy impacts glaucoma patient adherence (as measured by following up with the doctor) in Tamil Nadu, India. We hypothesize that individuals with better health literacy will have higher rates of follow-up with their ophthalmologist.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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Detailed Description
Many studies have shown the importance of health literacy on patient adherence in the United States (Juzych, M, et al., 2008; Muir, KW, et al., 2006). Low adherence in glaucoma patients leads to increased intraocular pressure, optic nerve damage, and blindness. To date, no research has been done with health literacy and patient adherence in the developing world.
We will use TOFHLA and REALM to assess the health literacy of glaucoma patients in Tamil Nadu, India. We will also survey other demographic information and patient knowledge of glaucoma. This information will be compared with follow-up rates to identify barriers to patient adherence.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| 1 Adequate Health Literacy (as determined by TOFHLA) |
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| 2 Inadequate Health Literacy (as determined by TOFHLA) |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Association between TOFHLA and REALM and the probability of return for follow-up visit [1 year from enrollemnt]
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Association between religion, caste, education, socio-economic status, employment, and available time for doctor visits and the probability of return for follow-up visit. [1 year from enrollment]
- Association between marital status, number of dependents, family history of glaucoma, travel, need for an escort, understanding of glaucoma, and paying status and the probability of return for follow-up visit. [1 year from enrollment]
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Better than 20/100 corrected vision in better eye
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Must live within 50 miles of Aravind Eye Hospital
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Clinical diagnosis of primary glaucoma
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Paying patient
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aravind Eye Hospital | Madurai | Tamil Nadu | India | 625 020 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Robin, Alan L., M.D.
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Benjamin R Curran, BS, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine
- Study Director: Alan L Robin, MD, University of Maryland; Johns Hopkins University, Wilmer Institute and Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Study Director: Ramaswami Krishnadas, DO, DNB, Aravind Eye Hospital, CMO
- Study Director: Scott D Smith, MD, MPH, The Cleveland Clinic
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- Friedman DS, Hahn SR, Gelb L, Tan J, Shah SN, Kim EE, Zimmerman TJ, Quigley HA. Doctor-patient communication, health-related beliefs, and adherence in glaucoma results from the Glaucoma Adherence and Persistency Study. Ophthalmology. 2008 Aug;115(8):1320-7, 1327.e1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.11.023. Epub 2008 Mar 5.
- Juzych MS, Randhawa S, Shukairy A, Kaushal P, Gupta A, Shalauta N. Functional health literacy in patients with glaucoma in urban settings. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 May;126(5):718-24. doi: 10.1001/archopht.126.5.718.
- Muir KW, Santiago-Turla C, Stinnett SS, Herndon LW, Allingham RR, Challa P, Lee PP. Health literacy and adherence to glaucoma therapy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2006 Aug;142(2):223-6.
- Health Literacy