Barriers to Utilization of Eye Care Services in the Upper East Region, Ghana

Ss, Merepa; Akowuah, Prince Kwaku; As, Abazele; Ja, Gyamfi; Adjei-Anang, Joseph; Pt, Djeagbo; Na, Gyekye-Darko

doi:10.15406/aovs.2017.07.00240

Cited by 11 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In the present study of 338 participants, 141 (41.7%) did not have their eye examination up to date, taking into account the recommendations of the American Optometric Association and American Academy of Ophthalmology (periodicity of at least 2 years for patients without risk factors and aged between 18–64 years and annually for patients aged ≥65 years or with risk factors) [ 28 , 30 ]. In a study carried out in Ghana [ 20 ], similar results were found, although 3 years were used as a parameter: 40.0% of the participants did not have their eye examination up to date at the time of the research. In studies carried out in Southwest Nigeria [ 19 ] and Ethiopia [ 6 ], the percentages were higher (81% and 76.2%, respectively) compared to our study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

“…Prior to the interview, a rapid review in PubMed and Google Scholar about the possible barriers to the access or use of eye health services was performed; the keywords defined as barriers to accessing eye health services were extracted, both for the eye examination as well as treatment (optical, drug, or surgical), which served as a guide for the interviews. The most common barriers found in the literature were cost, transportation, lack of information or education in eye care, fear of treatment, traditional treatment, trust, lack of time, not being aware of the problem, need for escort, and unhappy with medical services [ 6 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Nevertheless, a qualitative study with data saturation was carried out to collect the existence of more barriers.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Barriers to Accessing Eye Health Services in Suburban Communities in Nampula, Mozambique

Sengo

Marraca

Muaprato

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Globally, an estimated 2.2 billion people are visually impaired (VI) or blind, and a large proportion (90%) of those affected live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to eye health services is limited. This study aimed to identify barriers to accessing eye health services and associated factors in suburban communities of Nampula. A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out on adults ≥18 years old. A total of 338 adults were randomly selected from three communities (Muthita, Piloto, and Nthotta). Individual interviews were carried out and socio-demographic data, eye symptoms, date of last eye examination, and barriers to access to eye health services were extracted. Among participants, 49.4% had eye symptoms and 41.7% did not have their eye examinations up to date. The most cited barriers were crowding in hospitals (40.7%), financial difficulties (30.0%), self-medication (20.5%), traditional treatment (17.8%), and buying eyeglasses on the street (11.6%). Barriers limited the service target to 33%. Lower levels of schooling and monthly family income and farmer occupation were statistically associated with the most barriers as risk factors. The use of eye health services was lower due to barriers to accessing eye services. More specific intervention plans and greater cooperation between sectors are needed to improve these indicators.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers to Accessing Eye Health Services in Suburban Communities in Nampula, Mozambique

Sengo

Marraca

Muaprato

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…With the uneven distribution of workforce, the populace of regions with deficient workforce would have to travel longer distances for eye care. Also, with just few eye care personnel serving a large proportion of the populace, the patient load on these personnel would be extremely high, which would result in longer waiting time at the facilities, preventing many people from accessing essential eye care [51].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Progress towards Achieving “VISION 2020: The Right to Sight” Initiative in Ghana

Morny

Boadi-Kusi

Ocansey

et al. 2019

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

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Purpose. The aim of this study was to analyse eye health delivery in Ghana and examine the progress towards achieving VISION 2020 indicator targets. Methods. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2017 and May 2018. It used a mixed method approach including desk-based reviews, a questionnaire-based survey of eye facilities in Ghana, and interviews with eye health system stakeholders to collect information on eye health delivery in facilities owned by the Ghana Health Service (GHS), quasigovernmental bodies (security agencies), and Christian Association of Ghana (CHAG). The information was benchmarked against the World Health Organization (WHO) targets for achieving the goals of VISION 2020. Results. The magnitude of blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment (without pinhole) was 0.9% and 3.0%, respectively. The number of ophthalmologists available at the country level was 80.6% of the VISION 2020 target with optometrists and ophthalmic nurses exceeding targets for VISION 2020. The distribution of human resources was heavily skewed towards two out of the 10 regions in Ghana. Cataract surgical rate was low and met 25% of the WHO target. Basic equipment for refraction was available in the majority of facilities; however, there was a general lack of specialised eye care equipment across the country. Comparatively, CHAG facilities were better equipped than GHS facilities at the same level. Conclusion. The Government of Ghana should revitalize the goals of VISION 2020 beyond the year 2020 and spearhead a concerted effort to ensure equitable distribution of human and infrastructural resources across the country.

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“…The WHO have also developed an eye care assessment tool 158 (ECSAT) comprising a detailed checklist based on the WHO health system approach framework, 159 which organises health systems around six fundamental components or “building blocks”: leadership and governance, financing, the health workforce, service delivery, access to vital medicines and health information systems. The ECSAT tool gives an overview of the primary gaps, requirements, and information requiring further research as well as advised measures to address these issues within a country 166 . Whereas our framework allows for the evaluation of existing services as well as the creation of new sustainable eye care services through the incorporation of research priorities (Figure 9).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ECSAT tool gives an overview of the primary gaps, requirements, and information requiring further research as well as advised measures to address these issues within a country. 166 Whereas our framework allows for the evaluation of existing services as well as the creation of new sustainable eye care services through the incorporation of research priorities (Figure 9).…”

Section: Implications For Clinical Practice and Eye Care Policy Inter...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring eye care pathways, patient priorities and economics in Pakistan: A scoping review and expert consultation study with thematic analysis

Malik

Strang

Campbell

et al. 2022

Ophthalmic Physiologic Optic

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Purpose: As the prevalence of eye diseases increases, demand for effective, accessible and equitable eye care grows worldwide. This is especially true in lower and middle-income countries, which have variable levels of infrastructure and economic resources to meet this increased demand. In the present study we aimed to review the literature on eye care in Pakistan comprehensively, with a particular focus on eye care pathways, patient priorities and economics.Methods: A systematic scoping review was performed to identify literature relating to eye care in Pakistan. Searches of relevant electronic databases and grey literature were carried out. The results were analysed through a mixed methods approach encompassing descriptive numerical summary and thematic analysis. To consolidate results and define priority areas for future study, expert consultation exercises with key stakeholders were conducted using qualitative semi-structured interviews.Results: One hundred and thirty-two papers (published and unpublished) were included in the final review. The majority (n = 93) of studies utilised a quantitative design. Seven interlinked themes were identified: eye care pathways, burden of eye disease, public views on eye-related issues, workforce, barriers to uptake of eye care services, quality of eye care services and economic impact of blindness.Research priorities included investigating the eye care workforce, the quality and efficiency of current eye care services, eye care services available in rural Pakistan and the costs and benefits related to eye care provision and sustaining eye care programmes. Conclusions:To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review to synthesise evidence from papers across the field relating to eye care in Pakistan. As such, this work provides new insights into the achievements of the national eye health programme, challenges in eye care in Pakistan and priority areas for future research.

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Barriers to Utilization of Eye Care Services in the Upper East Region, Ghana

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

Barriers to Accessing Eye Health Services in Suburban Communities in Nampula, Mozambique

Barriers to Accessing Eye Health Services in Suburban Communities in Nampula, Mozambique

Assessing the Progress towards Achieving “VISION 2020: The Right to Sight” Initiative in Ghana

Exploring eye care pathways, patient priorities and economics in Pakistan: A scoping review and expert consultation study with thematic analysis

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