Authorship Correction: Effect of Door-to-Door Screening and Awareness Generation Activities in the Catchment Areas of Vision Centers on Service Use: Protocol for a Randomized Experimental Study (Preprint)

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalinder Sabherwal ◽  
Anand Chinnakaran ◽  
Ishaana Sood ◽  
Gaurav K Gary ◽  
Birendra P Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Care Service ◽  
North India ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Primary Eye Care ◽  
Catchment Areas

UNSTRUCTURED A vision center (VC) is a significant eye care service model to strengthen primary eye care services. VCs have been set up at the block level, covering a population of 150,000-250,000 in rural areas in North India. Inadequate use by rural communities is a major challenge to sustainability of these VCs. This not only reduces the community’s vision improvement potential but also impacts self-sustainability and limits expansion of services in rural areas. The current literature reports a lack of awareness regarding eye diseases and the need for care, social stigmas, low priority being given to eye problems, prevailing gender discrimination, cost, and dependence on caregivers as factors preventing the use of primary eye care. Our organization is planning an awareness-cum-engagement intervention—door-to-door basic eye checkup and visual acuity screening in VCs coverage areas—to connect with the community and improve the rational use of VCs. In this randomized, parallel-group experimental study, we will select 2 VCs each for the intervention arm and the control arm from among poor, low-performing VCs (ie, walk-in of ≤10 patients/day) in our 2 operational regions (Vrindavan, Mathura District, and Mohammadi, Kheri District) of Uttar Pradesh. Intervention will include door-to-door screening and awareness generation in 8-12 villages surrounding the VCs, and control VCs will follow existing practices of awareness generation through community activities and health talks. Data will be collected from each VC for 4 months of intervention. Primary outcomes will be an increase in the number of walk-in patients, spectacle advise and uptake, referral and uptake for cataract and specialty surgery, and operational expenses. Secondary outcomes will be uptake of refraction correction and referrals for cataract and other eye conditions. Differences in the number of walk-in patients, referrals, uptake of services, and cost involved will be analyzed. Background work involved planning of interventions and selection of VCs has been completed. Participant recruitment has begun and is currently in progress. Through this study, we will analyze whether our door-to-door intervention is effective in increasing the number of visits to a VC and, thus, overall sustainability. We will also study the cost-effectiveness of this intervention to recommend its scalability. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04800718; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04800718

Effect of door-to-door screening and awareness generation activities in the catchment areas of vision centres on service utilization: A study protocol (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalinder Sabherwal ◽  
Anand Chinnakaran ◽  
Ishaana Sood ◽  
Gaurav K Garg ◽  
Birendra P Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
North India ◽  
Participant Recruitment ◽  
Community Activities ◽  
Catchment Areas ◽  
Set Up ◽  
And Control

BACKGROUND Vision Centre (VC) is a significant eyecare service model to strengthen primary eye care services. VCs have been set-up at block level covering a population of 150,000-250,000 in rural areas in North India. Inadequate utilization by rural communities is a major challenge to sustainability of these VCs. This not only reduces the community’s vision improvement potential but also impacts self-sustainability and limits expansion of services in rural areas. Current literature reports lack of awareness regarding eye diseases and the need for care, social stigmas, low priority being given to eye problems, prevailing gender discrimination, cost, and dependence on caregivers as factors preventing utilization of primary eyecare. OBJECTIVE To address this, our organization is planning an awareness cum engagement intervention – door-to-door basic eye check-up and visual acuity screening in VC’s coverage areas, to connect with the community and improve rational utilization of the VCs. METHODS The study is a randomized parallel group experimental study, in which we will select 2 VCs each for intervention arm and control arm, among poor low performing VCs i.e., walk-in of ≤10 patients/day, from our two operational regions (Vrindavan, Mathura District and Mohammadi, Kheri District) of Uttar Pradesh. Intervention will include door to door screening and awareness generation in 8-12 villages surrounding VC, and control VC will follow existing practices of awareness generation through community activities and health talks. Data collected from each VCs for four months of intervention, primary outcome being utilization of VCs would include, number of walk-in patients, spectacle advised and uptake, referral and uptake for cataract and specialty surgery and operational expenses. Secondary outcomes would be uptake of refraction correction and referrals for cataract and other eye conditions. Differences in the number of walk-in patients, referrals, uptake of services and cost involved would be analyzed. RESULTS Participant recruitment in progress. CONCLUSIONS Through this study, we would analyze if of our door-to-door intervention is effective in increasing the number of visits at VC and the thus, the overall sustainability. We would also study the cost-effectiveness of this intervention to recommend it’s scalability. CLINICALTRIAL This protocol has been retrospectively registered as a clinical trial (NCT04800718) on 15th March 2021 at the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Participant recruitment is still in progress. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04800718?term=NCT04800718&recrs=ab&draw=2&rank=1

scholarly journals Harrowing Blindness and Ocular Morbidity in a Himalayan Village

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 582-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrit Pokharel ◽  
Himal Kandel ◽  
Reshma Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Primary Eye Care ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Ocular Morbidity

To address this terrible situation, we propose the following solutions: in the short term, conduct regular eye health camps with appropriate management locally. In the long term, to strengthen primary eye care and integrate it into general health, by training primary health care workers in primary eye care (more specifically assessing visual acuity) establishing adequate referral channels. Currently, unfortunately, much of eye care service delivery remains centered on the district headquarters and accessible places, with other remote regions left unattended. We hope our report will awaken all concerned to the dire need for equitable eye care across the country.

scholarly journals The Mobile Teleophthalmology Unit in Rural and Underserved Areas of South India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila John ◽  
Lavanya Allimuthu ◽  
Ranjitha Kannan ◽  
Ramesh BabuSekar ◽  
Martin Manoj Mathiyazahan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
South India ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Retinal Disease ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Internet Connectivity ◽  
Base Hospital ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Eye Camps

Objective: Our objective was to provide an eye care service to rural and underserved areas in Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu, South India. Design: We conducted eye camps to provide ophthalmic services to the underserved and rural areas, where people cannot afford to go to a hospital due to lack of accessibility, lack of awareness, or financial constraints. Setting: The study was conducted in rural and underserved areas of Thiruvallur, Chennai, and Kanchipuram districts from January 2015 to December 2019. Participants: Patients (N = 1,05,827) underwent comprehensive eye examination in eye camps with the state-of-art ophthalmic equipment. Main outcome measures: To report on the number of patients examined, number of eye disorders screened, and different types of ocular pathology screened, all clinical findings were recorded and all ocular images were uploaded in the electronic medical records. All patients with ocular diseases underwent teleconsultation with an ophthalmologist at the base hospital with internet connectivity. Video conferencing and teleconsultation were feasible only in areas with good internet connectivity. Results: Over the 5-year study period, 1,05,827 patients underwent eye evaluation at 1,061 eye camps. Among these, 48,354 (45.7%) patients were males, 57,473 (54.3%) patients were females, 15,515 patients were emmetropes. The most common cause of avoidable blindness was uncorrected refractive error detected in 66,137 eyes, referable cataract was seen in 13,536 eyes, 2,491 eyes were identified to have retinal diseases, and there were 789 patients with only diabetic retinopathy, thus totaling to 3,280 comprising of all retinal disease. 2424 patients received teleconsultations. For further investigations and treatment, which were provided free of cost, patients were referred to the base hospital in Chennai. There were 6,309 patients who received free spectacles and an additional 31,192 patients received spectacles at a low cost; 13,536 patients had referable cataract and were referred to the base hospital for further evaluation and surgery. Conclusions: Teleophthalmology holds great potential to overcome barriers, improve quality, access, and affordability to eye care, and has proven to be an innovative means of taking comprehensive eye care facilities to the doorsteps of rural India.

scholarly journals ReGAE 2: glaucoma awareness and the primary eye-care service: some perceptions among African Caribbeans in Birmingham UK

Eye ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 912-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Cross ◽  
P Shah ◽  
R Bativala ◽  
P Spurgeon
Keyword(s):  
Care Service ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Primary Eye Care

scholarly journals CATARACT & OTHER CO MORBIDITIES – STUDY FROM NORTH INDIA.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Kumar ◽  
Angli Manhas ◽  
Rameshwar S Manhas ◽  
Dinesh Gupta ◽  
Aditi Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
North India ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Department Of Ophthalmology ◽  
Medical Facilities ◽  
Systemic Examination ◽  
Eye Camps

Background: Rural areas are away from medical facilities & these areas catters more than 3/4th of Indian populations. Thus, eye care services need to be planned & executed in these areas. Aim: To determine the prevalence of other ocular and systemic co-morbidities among the camp selected cataract patients in rural areas. Methodology: The present observational study was conducted at postgraduate department of Ophthalmology of GMC Jammu & involved patients from various eye camps selected for ECCE (SICS with PC-IOL implantation surgery). Total of 84 patients were participated in the study. Detailed history was taken from the patient & relevant ocular & systemic examination was done.Routine investigations were also done. Results: The most frequently occuring systemic co-morbidities was hypertension i.e.36.9% followed by back pain in 32.1% in the present study. The ocular co-morbities other than cataract were diabetic retinopathy in 4.8%, glaucoma in 3.6% etc. Among other ocular co morbidity, optic atrophy, amblyopia, chorioretinal atrophy, macular scar etc were noted. Conclusion: From present study it has been concluded that large number of patients who came to seek ocular treatment in eye camps has systemic co morbidities also. Thus, other specialities should also be part of team of eye camp so that along with eye other comorbidities should also be treated. Key words: Cataract, Ocular co-morbidities, Systemic co-morbidities.

Indicators of Home Care Use in Urban and Rural Settings

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori A. Mitchell ◽  
Laurel A. Strain ◽  
Audrey A. Blandford
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Small Town ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Place Of Residence

ABSTRACTThis study employs a longitudinal design to examine rural–urban differences in home care service use over time, drawing on data from the Manitoba Study of Health and Aging (MSHA). Characteristics of community-dwelling, cognitively intact adults aged 65 years or older not receiving home care services in the province of Manitoba (n = 855) were collected in 1991/1992. Place of residence was categorized as urban/small-town zone or predominantly rural area. A 5-year follow-up determined subsequent home care use. Urban residents were more likely to receive home care than those in small-town zones or predominantly rural areas. Characteristics associated with use differed according to place of residence, with the exception of baseline physical functioning and changes in physical functioning that consistently emerged as significant. Directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals The distribution of health services for older people in Australia: where does transition care fit?

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne C Giles ◽  
Julie A Halbert ◽  
Maria Crotty ◽  
Ian D Cameron ◽  
Len C Gray
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Older People ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Transition Care ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
Hospital Beds

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of hospital and aged care services for older people, with a particular focus on transition care places, across Australia and to determine the relationships between the provision of these services. Methods: Aggregation of health and aged care service indicators by Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) region including: public and private acute and subacute (rehabilitation and geriatric evaluation and management) hospital beds, flexible and mainstream aged care places as at 30 June 2006. Results: There was marked variation in the distribution of acute and subacute hospital beds among the 79 ACAT regions. Aged care places were more evenly distributed. However, the distribution of transition care places was uneven. Rural areas had poorer provision of all beds. There was no evidence of coordination in the allocation of hospital and aged care services between the Commonwealth and state/territory governments. There was a weak relationship between the allocation of transition care places and the distribution of health and aged care services. Discussion: Overall, the distribution of services available to older persons is uneven across Australia. While the Transition Care Program is flexible and is providing rural communities with access to rehabilitation, it will not be adequate to address the increasing needs associated with the ageing of the Australian population. An integrated national plan for aged care and rehabilitation services should be considered.

TURNING FARMERS INTO SOCIAL FARMER ENTREPRENEURS FOR DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remus Runcan
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural Development Programme ◽  
Rural And Urban

According to Romania’s National Rural Development Programme, the socio-economic situation of the rural environment has a large number of weaknesses – among which low access to financial resources for small entrepreneurs and new business initiatives in rural areas and poorly developed entrepreneurial culture, characterized by a lack of basic managerial knowledge – but also a large number of opportunities – among which access of the rural population to lifelong learning and entrepreneurial skills development programmes and entrepreneurs’ access to financial instruments. The population in rural areas depends mainly on agricultural activities which give them subsistence living conditions. The gap between rural and urban areas is due to low income levels and employment rates, hence the need to obtain additional income for the population employed in subsistence and semi-subsistence farming, especially in the context of the depopulation trend. At the same time, the need to stimulate entrepreneurship in rural areas is high and is at a resonance with the need to increase the potential of rural communities from the perspective of landscape, culture, traditional activities and local resources. A solution could be to turn vegetal and / or animal farms into social farms – farms on which people with disabilities (but also adolescents and young people with anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide, and alexithymia issues) might find a “foster” family, bed and meals in a natural, healthy environment, and share the farm’s activities with the farmer and the farmer’s family: “committing to a regular day / days and times for a mutually agreed period involves complying with any required health and safety practices (including use of protective clothing and equipment), engaging socially with the farm family members and other people working on and around the farm, and taking on tasks which would include working on the land, taking care of animals, or helping out with maintenance and other physical work”

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