Ocular Morbidity and Health Seeking Behaviour in Kwara State, Nigeria: Implications for Delivery of Eye Care Services

Senyonjo, Laura; Lindfield, Robert; Mahmoud, Abdulraheem O; Kimani, Kahaki; Sanda, Safiya; Schmidt, Elena

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0104128

Cited by 28 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Patients examined were from all age group with the maximum numbers in the age group 1 -10 years (18%), subsequently followed by 11 -20 years (16%), 41 -50 years (15.6%) ( Figure 3). These findings are similar to a study done in India and Nigeria that showed that children are affected with ocular morbidity conditions than the older age [12] [13].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

A Survey on Pattern of Ocular Morbidity in a Rural Community in Rwanda

Ekemiri¹,

Omondi²,

Uwisunze³

et al. 2019

OJOph

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Background: Majority of ocular morbidities found in developing countries are preventable and curable and vary from country to country and from community to community. Screening of ophthalmic conditions in communities with underserved ophthalmic services, can help detect and treat various spectra of ocular morbidity. Untreated ocular conditions may lead to vision impairments and blindness. Methods: A free walked-in ophthalmic screening outreach survey was conducted at a rural community in Rwanda and the total number of attendees was 762. Patients' demographics, detailed case history, and ophthalmic specific evaluation tests generated the survey data. Treatment offered was based on the diagnoses made. Patients who required special treatment or reviews were referred to the health care facilities for further investigations and subsequent management. The recorded data on observation forms were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software using descriptive statistics. Results: Majority (91.5%) of the patients were from Mageragera community where the outreach was conducted. The number of females 71.7% (546) seen were more than males 28.3% (213) in the ratio of 2.5:1. Age group with the highest number of patients was (1-10) years, 139 (18.2%) while the least was ≥71 years, 34 (4.5%). Among ocular morbidities diagnosed, conjunctivitis ranked highest 562 (73.8%), followed by refractive errors 118 (15.5%) and cataract 31 (4.1%). Glaucoma was diagnosed in 4 (0.5%) clients. Medication given included steroidal, non-steroidal and antibiotics ophthalmic drugs. Conclusion: A total of 762 patients benefited from early diagnoses, treatment and referrals. The pattern of eye diseases observed was similar to other reports from other developing countries. Statistics from this survey provides baseline data which can be used for planning, management and prevention of ocular conditions in the studied community as well as in research.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

A Survey on Pattern of Ocular Morbidity in a Rural Community in Rwanda

Ekemiri¹,

Omondi²,

Uwisunze³

et al. 2019

OJOph

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“…The main types of morbidity reported were also similar with the majority experiencing near vision problems and gradual loss of vision. Similar to other studies, a higher prevalence of self-reported OM in Sri Lanka was associated with being a female and belonging to lower SES [1,4].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…The high prevalence of self-reported OM in this study is not surprising as, in contrast to other studies of OM which included people of all ages [1,3,4], this survey focused on those aged 40 years, the majority of whom would have presbyopia. For example, in the Nigerian survey, which included all age groups, 84.6% of those aged 55 years reported ocular morbidity [4]. The main types of morbidity reported were also similar with the majority experiencing near vision problems and gradual loss of vision.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Patients' health seeking behavior for eye care has been studied recently in a variety of settings [1,4,[8][9][10][11], with many studies highlighting that the demand for eye care services is low, with many patients delaying access to treatment or not seeking care at all [11]. Recent studies in Kenya [1] and Nigeria [4] found that only half of those experiencing eye problems sought treatment or advice from trained professionals, and that eye care may be ranked Original article lower in priority than other health problems. A study in Cameroon highlighted that more than 60% of people did not seek treatment for eye care compared with 88% who sought treatment for fever within a week of onset [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence and determinants of self-reported ocular morbidity and utilization of eye services in Sri Lanka: results from a national population-based survey

et al. 2018

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Introduction Data on ocular morbidity is essential for planning primary and referral eye care services.Objectives Determine the prevalence and causes of selfreported ocular morbidity and eye care service utilization in Sri Lanka among adults 40 years of age.Methods Multistage, stratified, cluster random sampling was used to select a nationally representative sample aged 40 years. All participants were administered a questionnaire to assess ocular morbidity they had experienced in the previous month and the pattern of service utilization for reported eye problems. The interviews were conducted by a team of trained investigators at the clinical examination site before they underwent an eye examination.Results 5779 of those presenting for a clinical examination were interviewed among 6713 enumerated (86.1%). The prevalence of self-reported ocular morbidity was 89.9% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 89.0-90.6%]. Near vision impairment was the commonest problem reported (72.1%; 95% CI: 70.8-73.3%) followed by distance vision impairment (36.2%; 95% CI: 34.9-37.5%). Among those reporting an eye problem, 31.4% sought treatment. 49.4% of those seeking care utilized private facilities. Financial constraints, perceptions that the condition was not serious or had insufficient impact on day-to-day tasks were the most important reasons for not accessing care.Conclusions Ocular morbidities are common in the Sri Lanka population; however utilization of services is relatively low, particularly for asymptomatic illnesses. It is important that the service planners take into account geographical and social inequalities and focus the services on underserviced areas and disadvantaged social groups.

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“…In addition to blinding eye conditions, many people in SSA suffer from non-blinding ocular conditions such as trauma, conjunctivitis, and presbyopia [ 3 , 4 ]. Although non-blinding and often self-limiting, these conditions can cause pain and irritation and potentially impede an individual’s ability to participate fully in society or economic activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of eye health into primary care services in Tanzania: a qualitative investigation of experiences in two districts

Jolley

Mafwiri

Hunter

et al. 2017

BMC Health Serv Res

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BackgroundVisual impairment is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting nearly 5% of the population. Efforts to combat avoidable causes have been hampered by weak health systems and little evidence exists to suggest what interventions may be effective to improve the situation. Despite this, there are calls to promote some specific interventions, one of which being the closer integration of eye health services into health systems, often focusing on training primary health workers to deliver basic eye health services. This study seeks to understand how eye health services are delivered by primary health workers who have received training and what constraints remain to effective service provision.MethodsThis was a qualitative investigation into the experiences of 20 primary health workers trained in primary eye care and eight key informants working within specialist eye health services or regional and district health management positions in two districts in Tanzania.ResultsDespite feeling confident in their own eye care skills, most primary health workers felt constrained in the services they could provide to their communities by insufficient resources needed for diagnosis and treatment, and by lack of systematic supportive supervision to their work. Specialist ophthalmic staff were aware of this issue, although for the most part they felt it was not within their capacity to remedy and that it fell within the remit of general health managers. Many participants discussed the low support to eye health from the national government, evidenced through the lack of dedicated funding to the area and traditional reliance on outside funds including international charities.ConclusionsAlthough training of primary health workers is useful, it is recognised that is not sufficient to address the burden of eye health disease present in rural communities in Tanzania. It is likely that broader engagement with the general health system, and most likely with the private sector, will be necessary to improve the coverage of eye health care to remote and poor communities such as those in Morogoro. Further investment is needed to develop innovative approaches to delivering eye health services, including preventative, curative and rehabilitative services.

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Ocular Morbidity and Health Seeking Behaviour in Kwara State, Nigeria: Implications for Delivery of Eye Care Services

Cited by 28 publications

References 15 publications

A Survey on Pattern of Ocular Morbidity in a Rural Community in Rwanda

A Survey on Pattern of Ocular Morbidity in a Rural Community in Rwanda

Prevalence and determinants of self-reported ocular morbidity and utilization of eye services in Sri Lanka: results from a national population-based survey

Integration of eye health into primary care services in Tanzania: a qualitative investigation of experiences in two districts

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