MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants from the governmental departments were recruited and divided into intervention group and control group. A translated and validated questionnaire on awareness and knowledge related to glaucoma were used. Educational interventions were given for both groups. Post-test assessments were completed at one month and three months post intervention.
RESULTS: A total of 202 participants enrolled for the study (102 intervention group and 100 control group). 64.9% of the participants were aware of glaucoma and 49% of the participants had good knowledge score on glaucoma. Higher educational attainments (bachelor and diploma holders) were the only factors significantly associated with good glaucoma knowledge (p <0.001). There was significant increase in the proportion of good glaucoma knowledge in the intervention group one month after the educational intervention (p < 0.001) and the effect persisted after three months (p < 0.003). There was also significantly higher proportion of good post-test glaucoma knowledge between intervention and control group (p = 0.003).
CONCLUSION: Although the public was well aware of glaucoma, there was relatively little understanding of the condition. Educational interventions can be effective to bridge the gap in promoting the glaucoma awareness and better understanding of glaucoma.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, caregivers of adult PWE attending the neurology outpatient clinic at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) completed a comprehensive questionnaire comprising demographic data of participants and care recipients (adult PWE). Epilepsy-related data were obtained from the interview and medical records. Affiliate stigma among caregivers was assessed using Affiliate Stigma Scale (ASS), and psychological impacts were evaluated using Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). The level of caregiver burden was evaluated with Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI).
RESULTS: A total of 119 caregivers participated in the study, and 35.2 % of them reported mild to moderate burden. The factors most strongly associated with higher caregiver burden were female caregivers, needs for assistance in activities of daily living (ADL), frequent seizures, polypharmacy, and affiliate stigma among caregivers. A statistically significant positive correlation was seen between caregiver burden and psychological impacts of depression (r 0.522, p