Eye Care Cadre Utilization and Knowledge about Eye Care Professionals among University Students in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: This study is aimed at evaluating the eye care cadre utilisation and knowledge about the cadre of eye care professionals among undergraduate students of the

Integration of eye care into primary healthcare tier in Nigeria health system: A case for Delta State

“…Level of awareness in the different regions of the country e.g. Sokoto State (Northern Nigeria) is higher than that of Cross River State (Southern Nigeria) with 80% and 47.1% respectively [22,23]. This variation in awareness may be as a result of compliant to Vision 2020 approach [23].…”

“…With regards to uptake of PEC services, there are various barriers including cost of eye care services predicated on cost of transportation, and lack of awareness of available services amongst others [20]. The knowledge of available eye care services and awareness of the different cadre of eye care professionals and service providers are important in utilisation of eye care facilities [22]. Level of awareness in the different regions of the country e.g.…”

“…This is one area of need in eye health education for specific Preventive Measures: For example, in Tanzania, as measles immunisation coverage improved from approximately 30% to 80% between 1982 and 1988, the number of children admitted to a rural eye hospital with corneal ulcers associated with measles declined by 87% during the same period [24]. In Nigeria, there is lack of awareness of eye care service outlets [20,22], and this is technically a failure of PHC. In terms of knowledge and practice gap, it is indication of unmet community needs due PHC having limited practice in seeing and referring patients.…”

“…If eye disorders are not detected early, treated and operated on with appropriate resources, late treatment can lead to amblyopia ('lazy eyes') and permanent visual loss, and delay in surgery and the duration of visual deprivation before surgery are associated with an exponential decline in visual acuity after surgery [24]. In Nigeria, evidence abound that human and material resources are the bane of PEC being lacking in rural communities and PHC [16,[20][21][22]. 3.…”