A cross-sectional study of pediatric eye care perceptions in Ghana, Honduras, and India

Abstract

Of the more than 1.4 million blind children worldwide, 75% live in developing countries. To reduce the prevalence of childhood blindness and associated diseases, attention is given to understanding the perceptions and level of awareness held by caregivers. This understanding can enable tailored health programs to reduce the global prevalence of blindness with increased efficiency. This study, which took place in Ghana, Honduras, and India, found that 95% of caregivers believed in the importance of eye exams for children, yet 66% of caregivers said that none of their children had ever received an eye exam. Participants' major reasons for not bringing their children included the belief that their child had no eye problems along with similar and unique socio-economic barriers. Further information was gained through the use of a five-question test on basic child eye care symptoms, which showed that out of the three country locations, the studied population in India had the least understanding about pediatric eye symptoms. Further analysis revealed significant gaps in understanding of general eye health while detected knowledge barriers provide evidence that fundamental misconceptions appear to be inhibiting caregivers' competence in facilitating their children's eye health.

Perspectives on Child Eye Health among Junior High School Teachers in Ledzokuku Krowor Municipality, Ghana

“…Similar signs and symptoms were reported by the Ghanaian populus in Raimai et al [24]. However, greater awareness of signs and symptoms were reported in this study.…”

“…From the beginning, it can be inferred that these teachers had a fair knowledge of the determinants of optimum eye health and of the practices that would contribute to good visual health. The need for a regular eye checkup advocated for by teachers is a step in the right direction in the fight against childhood blindness as there is low utilization of regular eye examination by the children in the country [10,24,26].…”

Epidemiology of blindness in children

“…There is evidence that research has failed to capture girls, rural communities or children with multisystem impairments 15 16. Children may also fail to present to healthcare services because families do not recognise that there is a problem17 or because access to healthcare for children is limited by their carer’s own blindness 17. There can also be a lack of awareness among healthcare givers, with half of a group of primary care workers in Tanzania unaware of the urgent nature of referrals for congenital cataract or that children with albinism may have VI 18…”

Epidemiology of blindness in children

“…17 There is evidence that research has failed to capture girls, rural communities, or children with multi-system impairments. 16 17 Children may also fail to present to health care services because families do not recognise that there is a problem, 18 or because access to health care for children is limited by their carer's own blindness. 18 There can also be a lack of awareness amongst health care givers, with half of a group of primary care workers in Tanzania unaware of the urgent nature of referrals for congenital cataract, or that children with albinism may have visual impairment.…”

“…16 17 Children may also fail to present to health care services because families do not recognise that there is a problem, 18 or because access to health care for children is limited by their carer's own blindness. 18 There can also be a lack of awareness amongst health care givers, with half of a group of primary care workers in Tanzania unaware of the urgent nature of referrals for congenital cataract, or that children with albinism may have visual impairment. 19 Key informant (KI) studies, in which trained volunteers with a pre-existing 'key' role identify children with disorders in their community, enabling referral to health care professionals, have been validated as a low-cost alternative to other population based approaches.…”