Influencing Factors of Self-Management Behavior in Patients with Glaucoma in West China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Glaucoma is the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness, and poor self-management behavior is a global public health problem. Effective self-management behavior is crucial for controlling the progression of the disease. Nevertheless, few studies have carried out large-sample research on the factors influencing self-management behavior in glaucoma patients. The aim of this study was to comprehend the influencing factors of self-management behavior in glaucoma patients in western China and to provide a scientific basis for further exploring the intervention measures to enhance self-management behavior.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at West China Hospital, Sichuan University. It enrolled 538 participants from 12 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across western China via convenience sampling. Survey instruments included: 1) a self-developed general information questionnaire (covering demographic and disease-related data); 2) the Glaucoma Self-Management Questionnaire (GSMQ); 3) the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS); and 4) the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ).

The mean total score of the glaucoma self-management questionnaire was 50.64±6.06. The mean total score of the social support rating scale was 31.04±7.65. The mean total score on the brief illness perception questionnaire was 47.65±7.33. Patients with glaucoma identified various contributing factors to their condition, with emotion ranking highest at 29.4%, followed by stress at 22.5%, and genetics at 18.2%. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking, type of glaucoma, annual follow-up frequency, assignment of a follow-up doctor, social support, and illness perception significantly affected self-management behaviors (P<0.05).

Self-management behaviors, social support and disease perception of glaucoma patients are all at a moderate level. Smoking, less than two annual follow-ups, primary open-angle glaucoma and not having a designated follow-up doctor are all associated with poorer self-management behaviors. A higher level of social support is associated with improved self-management behavior. Patients who perceived greater harm to their physical wellbeing due to the disease tended to show poorer self-management behavior.