Investigation of the effects of sociodemographic conditions on adherence to spectacles treatment in adolescents

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of several sociodemographic conditions on adherence to spectacles treatment in adolescents. Material and Methods: 10-19-year-old otherwise healthy adolescents who had been prescribed spectacles at least one year ago were included in this study. To quantitatively evaluate adherence to spectacles treatment, patients were asked to mark along a visual analog scale and the result was noted as an adherence score (AS). Sociodemographic conditions that have potential to affect adherence to spectacles treatment were questioned. Results: This study includes 107 patients and the mean age of patients was 14.83 ± 2.75 years (10-19). The mean AS was 8.59 ± 2.21 (3-10) for mothers with a higher educational degree, and 6.85 ± 3.14 (0-10) for mothers with a lower educational degree (p =0.018). Similarly, the mean AS was 8.45 ± 2.40 (3-10) for fathers with a higher educational degree and 6.94 ± 3.08 (0-10) for fathers with a lower educational degree (p =0.033). According to logistic regression analysis, a higher educational degree in fathers was associated with 8 and more AS (odds ratio: 4.17, 95% confidence interval 1.14-15.25, and p =0.031). There was no significant difference in AS according to conditions regarding whether or not to use spectacles in a family and social environment (p >0.05, for all). Conclusion: It was concluded that higher parental educational level is associated with higher adherence to spectacles treatment in adolescents.