Duration of Illness and Resilience as Determinants of Life Satisfaction amongst Patients with Eye Pathologies
Akunne Ijeoma Apakama
Department of Ophthalmology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Arinze Anthony Onwuegbuna
Department of Ophthalmology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Chidozie Edwin Nwafor
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Chukwudi Charles Uzozie *
Department of Ophthalmology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Fidelis Nkama Isu
Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha, Nigeria.
Arinze Emmanuel Onyekwe
Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To determine how duration of disease and resilience as determinants correlate with life satisfaction amongst eye pathology patients
Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional survey amongst eye patients at Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha, South East, Nigeria using pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Information such as the socio -demographics, duration of disease and questions aimed at assessing the resilience and life satisfaction scores of these patients were collected.
Results: A total of 137 patients in the age range 15 to 88years, and with disease duration ranging from 1 to 23 years were enrolled. Gender and age of the participants were controlled as covariate. There was significant correlation between duration of eye pathology diagnosis and life satisfaction r= -0.22, p= 0.01, and resilience and life satisfaction r= 0.30, p= 0.01. In other words as the duration of eye pathology diagnosis increases, the more likely that the patient will report lesser life satisfaction. In contrast, patients who report higher resilience were more likely to also report higher life satisfaction.
Conclusion: Life satisfaction amongst eye pathology patients is significantly determined by duration of eye disease and resilience.
Keywords: Eye pathology, eye disease, life satisfaction, quality of life