%0 Journal Article
%T A qualitative study on the effect of a decision aid on knowledge of cataract surgery in patients in developing countries.
%A Fuseini MN
%A Gbedemah ZEE
%A Fordjuor SKEJ
%A Beecham REM
%A Baisie-Nkrumah EJ
%A Ennin CG
%A Buxton ENA
%A Amissah-Arthur KN
%J Int Ophthalmol
%V 44
%N 1
%D 2024 Jul 1
%M 38951286
%F 2.029
%R 10.1007/s10792-024-03159-w
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Despite cataract surgery being a safe procedure with a low incidence of perioperative complications rates, poor knowledge, concerns about the effectiveness of treatment and cost-benefit analysis of the procedure significantly hinder cataract surgery uptake rates in Africa. This study describes the effect of a decision aid on knowledge and decision conflict on cataract patients in Africa.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>120 patients with cataracts reporting to a tertiary hospital in Ghana were randomly assigned to receive a decision aid containing information on the possible outcomes of cataract surgery or a control booklet containing general knowledge about cataracts without information about cataract surgery. The primary outcome measured was the effect of the decision aid on their knowledge of cataract surgery. A score greater than 6/12 (50%) was deemed adequate knowledge. The secondary outcome was the decision conflict experienced by the participants assessed using the Decision Conflict Scale.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Compared to the control group, the participants in the intervention group scored higher marks across all sections of the questionnaire (2.92 vs 2.7, p = 0.042 in section "Background"; 2.62 vs 1.77, p < 0.001 in section "Materials"; 1.87 vs 1.55, p = 0.03 in section "Results"). The average total score was higher in the intervention group than in the control (36.7% difference; p < 0.001). Participants in the intervention group also demonstrated lower decision conflict scores than those in the control group (13.00 vs 37.17; p < 0.001).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The decision aid increased knowledge of cataract surgery and reduced decision conflict among patients in a developing country.