scholarly journals Barriers and incentives for conducting research amongst the Ophthalmologists in Sub-Sahara Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazim A Dhalla ◽  
Micheal Guirguis
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Research Knowledge ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
The Right ◽  
Preventable Blindness

AbstractBackgroundResearch is a critical component amongst the strategies to improve health outcomes of any country. The role of research assumes greater importance in Africa as it carries a larger share of global burden of diseases, blindness and low vision. “Vision 2020- the Right to Sight” is a WHO-IAPB collaborated initiative aiming to eliminate preventable blindness by the year 2020. High quality research in eye care is imperative for the initiative to succeed, however, there is a dearth of research in eye care in sub Saharan Africa in general and specifically in the Eastern, Central and Southern African (ECSA) region. Identifying the barriers that hamper research in this region is an important step towards elimination of preventable blindness.MethodsA structured questionnaire using the SurveyMonkey program was sent to ophthalmologists in the ECSA region and South Africa through their respective regional professional bodies. Data was analyzed using the SPSS program version.ResultsLack of funding, inadequate time and poor research knowledge were the main research barriers while ability to improve eye health care through research was the main incentive for conducting research.ConclusionThe barriers mainly center on financial, human and administrative infrastructure and resources. In spite of the barriers, ophthalmologists in the study region are enthusiastic in research aiming to increase evidence based knowledge to improve eye health care in line with the goals of “Vision 2020- the Right to Sight” initiative.

scholarly journals Evaluating Eye Health Care Services Progress Towards VISION 2020 Goals in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiliksew Teshome ◽  
Omar Salamanca ◽  
Alana Calise ◽  
Jibat Gemida Soboka
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Primary Eye Care ◽  
Eye Health

Abstract Background Ethiopia signed the VISION 2020 Global Declaration and launched its eye health program in 2002. Since then, there has been limited systematic and comprehensive evaluation of the progress towards VISION 2020 goals in Ethiopia.Purpose To evaluate Gurage Zone progress towards VISION 2020 targets and process indicators.Method An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among all public and private eye health care facilities in the Gurage Zone within the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People Region of Ethiopia. The evaluation protocol was adopted from the VISION 2020 situational analysis data collection tool. We used this structure to evaluate progress in terms of human resources, infrastructure, and service delivery at the Zonal Health Office and facility level.Result At the time of the study, the Gurage Zone had a 1.7 million catchment area population. There was a total of five eye care centers, of which one was established by a Non-Governmental Organization. Three of these facilities were secondary eye care centers with an operating theater and two of them were primary eye care centers. At the zonal level, there is no survey data available on the prevalence of blindness. There was no systemic evaluation of VISION 2020 process indicators. The budget allocation specific to eye health care was less than 0.7% of the total budget of the office. The human resources for eye health in the catchment area were: one ophthalmologist, two cataract surgeons, five optometrists, and 12 ophthalmic nurses, which is below the VISION 2020 targets for human resources for eye health. In terms of equipment, neither primary eye care center had a slit lamp biomicroscope, and two of the three secondary eye care centers did not have intraocular pressure (IOP) measuring equipment. Only one secondary eye care center was providing glaucoma surgical services, and no center provided either emergency or elective pediatric surgery. The cataract surgical rate (CSR) determined by the study was 1967.ConclusionGurage Zone had not achieved VISION 2020 goals in terms of critical human resources and service delivery. We recommend that the Zonal Health Office carries out a focused and baseline evaluation of eye health care service achievements.

scholarly journals Impact of middle level eye care personnel on the delivery of eye care services in South-western Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 871
Author(s):  
Tayo J. Bogunjoko ◽  
Adekunle O. Hassan ◽  
Ogugua Okonkwo ◽  
Toyin Akanbi ◽  
Mildred Ulaikere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
International Joint Commission ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hospital Group

Background: The objectives of the study were to review the training and assess the impact of middle level eye care personnel (community ophthalmic technician) with skills to complement the services of the ophthalmologist for efficient eye care system and fulfilling vision 2020 goals.Methods: The collaboration between 2010 and 2015 was reviewed with an institutional questionnaire for both Eye Foundation Centre and College of Health Technology in Ijebu, Nigeria: structure of 2 year training Programme and one year internship, community ophthalmic technicians (COT) as assistants to ophthalmologists, hierarchy/career options and challenges and ensuring clinical quality and their strength in the Eye Foundation Eye Health System were appraised.Results: From 2010 to 2015, a total of 72 COTs have graduated, 41(57%) of them employed by the Eye Foundation Hospital Group. Apart from this, 28 did their internship in 2015, 19 (68%) out of this at Eye Foundation establishments in southwestern and north central Nigeria. Others are employed by other government or nongovernmental agencies. From 2010 to 2015, outpatients’ visits have increased from 42,962 to 104,239 at its peak, surgical volume from 3,999 to 18,350 at the Eye Foundation Hospital Group. The COT programme has been accredited by International Joint Commission on Allied health personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO).Conclusions: COTs with skills are required in large numbers to complement the services of ophthalmologists for efficient eye health system. Their contribution is very important to meet the vision 2020 human resources objectives for Sub-Saharan Africa. 

scholarly journals The Technical Feasibility of Integrating Primary Eye Care Into Primary Health Care Systems in Nigeria: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Aghaji ◽  
Helen Burchett ◽  
Shaffa Hameed ◽  
Jayne Webster ◽  
Clare Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Technical Feasibility ◽  
Primary Eye Care ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Sub Saharan

BACKGROUND Approximately 90% of the 253 million blind or visually impaired people worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries. Lack of access to eye care is why most people remain or become blind. The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO-AFRO) recently launched a primary eye care (PEC) package for sub-Saharan Africa—the WHO-AFRO PEC package—for integration into the health system at the primary health care (PHC) level. This has the potential to increase access to eye care, but feasibility studies are needed to determine the extent to which the health system has the capacity to deliver the package in PHC facilities. OBJECTIVE Our objective is to assess the technical feasibility of integrating the WHO-AFRO PEC package in PHC facilities in Nigeria. METHODS This study has several components, which include (1) a literature review of PEC in sub-Saharan Africa, (2) a Delphi exercise to reach consensus among experts regarding the technical complexity of the WHO-AFRO PEC package and the capacities needed to deliver it in PHC facilities, (3) development of PEC technical capacity assessment tools, and (4) data collection, including facility surveys and semistructured interviews with PHC staff and their supervisors and village health workers to determine the capacities available to deliver PEC in PHC facilities. Analysis will identify opportunities and the capacity gaps that need to be addressed to deliver PEC. RESULTS Consensus was reached among experts regarding the technical complexity of the WHO-AFRO PEC package and the capacities needed to deliver it as part of PHC. Quantitative tools (ie, structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and observation checklists) and topic guides based on agreed-upon technical capacities have been developed and relevant stakeholders have been identified. Surveys in 48 PHC facilities and interviews with health professionals and supervisors have been undertaken. Capacity gaps are being analyzed. CONCLUSIONS This study will determine the capacity of PHC centers to deliver the WHO-AFRO PEC package as an integral part of the health system in Nigeria, with identification of capacity gaps. Although capacity assessments have to be context specific, the tools and findings will assist policy makers and health planners in Nigeria and similar settings, who are considering implementing the package, in making informed choices. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/17263

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enyam Komla Amewuho Morny ◽  
Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi ◽  
Stephen Ocansey ◽  
Samuel Kyei ◽  
Kwame Yeboah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Delivery ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
The Government ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Right

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.

Human Resource Development for Vision 2020 in Developing Countries: A Change from Absolute Numbers

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 820-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feyi G. Adepoju ◽  
Abdulkabir A. Ayanniyi ◽  
Victoria Pam ◽  
Toyin B. Akanbi
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Population Ratio ◽  
The Right ◽  
Staff Mix ◽  
Descriptive Survey

Purpose. To critically review the numbers, distribution, staff mix, and productivity of eye care workers (ECW) in Kwara State, north central Nigeria. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive survey of all ECW identified from all eye care facilities in July 2008 was carried out using a structured questionnaire. Output data on cataract surgery of each institution were also collected and data analyzed using SPSS 16. Results. A total of 157 ECW comprising 8 ophthalmologists, 4 diplomates, 16 residents training ophthalmologists, 96 mid-level ophthalmic personnel (67 ophthalmic nurses, 3 optometrists, and 26 others), and 33 administrative and supporting staff were available to a population of 2.37 million. Ophthalmologist to population ratio was 1:300,000, optometrist 1:790,000, and ophthalmic nurses 1:35,000. Eighty percent of ECW and institutions are located in the state capital. There were no orthoptists, low vision specialists, counselors, or cataract finders, while optometrists, managers, and primary ECW were inadequate. The staff mix was 1 surgeon to 12 other ECW and an average of 182 cataract surgeries per surgeon per year. Conclusions. Emphasis should shift to team building and ensuring available workers perform optimally rather than meeting the absolute numbers of some cadre, which does not guarantee improved output. Issues of equitable distribution, appropriate staff mix, filling identified gaps in human resources, and addressing poor service uptake should be the focus to reach the goals of Vision 2020: The Right to Sight.

scholarly journals Trends and implications for achieving VISION 2020 human resources for eye health targets in 16 countries of sub-Saharan Africa by the year 2020

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J Palmer ◽  
Farai Chinanayi ◽  
Alice Gilbert ◽  
Devan Pillay ◽  
Samantha Fox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Health Targets ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals Strengths and weaknesses of eye care services in sub-Saharan Africa: a meta-synthesis of eye health system assessments

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stevens Bechange ◽  
Emma Jolley ◽  
Bhavisha Virendrakumar ◽  
Vladimir Pente ◽  
Juliet Milgate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Sub Saharan
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document