Oculoplastic surgical services in Nigeria: status and challenges

Idowu, Oluwatobi O; Oldenburg, Catherine E.; Vagefi, M. Reza

doi:10.1007/s10792-019-01163-z

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Almost half (48.0%) of the respondents in this study had their practice domiciled in the South-west geopolitical zone (GPZ). This nding mirrors the observation in previous studies conducted among the same population [10,11]. It could also be a re ection of the unequal distribution of Ophthalmologists in Nigeria which is skewed towards South-west GPZ as pointed out in a previous study conducted among the same population [11].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…This may suggest that such subspecialty clinics may not necessarily be manned by subspecialist. This explanation is similar to the observation of Idowu et al who reported that the provision of oculoplastic care in Nigeria was not limited to oculoplastic surgeons as 67.1% of general ophthalmologists render such care in their practice [10]. Overall, mal-distribution of sub-specialization is evident in this study as sub-specialties like low vision and rehabilitation, uveitis and immunology as well as ocular oncology had very low patronage.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…The barriers to the availability and uptake of sub-specialty services as well as the challenges of subspecialty services at the centres with established sub-specialty practice in this study revolved around nonavailability/inadequate trained specialist, equipment and training centre as well as affordability of subspecialty services (cost). Similar barriers have been highlighted in previous studies from Nigeria [10] and other African countries [12,18]. This is not surprising especially in this study wherein majority of the respondent practice in Government establishment where Ophthalmology department compete with other departments for the limited Government's funding.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…However, the study duration of 10 months coupled with twice weekly reminders could suggest that most of Ophthalmologist who were interested in the study would have been captured. Although average, it is higher than the completion rate of 44% reported by Idowu et al [10] in an online survey among same study population and for similar study period. Second, the extent of sub-specialization in this study could be an exaggeration when compared to the extent in climes where sub-specialty training of less than 12 months is not considered to be a full sub-specialty training.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%

“…It could also be a re ection of the unequal distribution of Ophthalmologists in Nigeria which is skewed towards South-west GPZ as pointed out in a previous study conducted among the same population [11]. Also, the availability of more numbers of training institutions as well as practice opportunities in the South-west GPZ may be contributory as pointed out by Idowu et al [10]. The preponderance of Government tertiary institution's practice among respondents may not be unconnected with better remuneration, job security as well as better opportunities for career development in Government tertiary institution compared to other establishments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

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Sub-Specialization Among Nigerian Ophthalmologists: Status, Disposition and Barriers.

Musa¹,

Idowu²,

Aribaba³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Purpose: To determine the status of sub-specialization among Nigerian ophthalmologists as well as their dispositions and barriers against sub-specialization with a view to providing valuable information for the purpose of human resources for eye care planning thereby providing useful insight into the future of ophthalmic practice in Nigeria. Methods: This was a web-based, cross-sectional study conducted among Ophthalmologists in Nigeria. An online questionnaire was distributed through e-mails using Qualtrics software (Qualtrics, Provo, UT, USA). Information concerning socio-demographic characteristics, type of practice, location of practice, years of practice, status and disposition to sub-specialization as well as barriers to sub-specialization were obtained through the questionnaire.Results: two hundred and four Nigerian Ophthalmologists participated in the study out of which 118 (57.8%) were females. One hundred and ten (54.0%) respondents had undergone sub-specialty training. The sub-specialties with the highest number of patronage was Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (14.2%). Respondents older than 46 years were three times more likely to have undergone subspecialty training compared to respondents who were aged 46 years and below [odds ratio (OR) = 3.01, 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 1.33 – 6.83, p = 0.01]. The main barriers to the availability and uptake of sub-specialty services as well as the challenges of sub-specialty services at the centres with established sub-specialty practice were non-availability/inadequate trained specialist and inadequate equipment. Conclusion: Nigerian Ophthalmologists are well disposed to sub-specialization although the extent of sub-specialization among them was a little above average. The main barriers to the availability and uptake of sub-specialty services as well as the challenges of sub-specialty services at the centres with established sub-specialty practice in this study were non-availability/inadequate trained specialist and inadequate equipment.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

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