scholarly journals Ocular Status, Health Seeking Behaviours and Barriers to Uptake Eye Care Services among Children of Slum Community in Chittagong, Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
General Measure ◽  
Ocular Abnormalities ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Very High ◽  
Slum Community

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the ocular status, ocular health seeking behaviors and barriers to uptake eye care services among children of slum community in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Methods: The study was conducted in several urban slums in Chittagong city, which is home of slum children. A total of 410 children aged 5 to 16 years were clinically examined. Their accompanying guardians were also interviewed for collecting data about health seeking behaviors and identifying the barriers, if any, to uptake eye care services. Three focus group discussions were also held with guardians. Results: About 47.3% of the sampled children were male and 52.7% female. About 40% of the children had some complain where we found 36.6% having some ocular abnormalities. Among the respondents (n=410), related with ocular abnormalities (n=150), the diagnosed problems were; Refractive Error (26.7%), Allergic Conjunctivitis (21.3%), Blepharitis (16.0%), Squint (7.3%), Convergence Insufficiency (6.6%), Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (8.7%), Dacryocystitis (3.3%), Conjunctivitis (4.0%), Congenital Cataract (2.7%), Corneal scar 2.0%, Pseudophakia 2.0%, Xerophthalmia (1.3%). Infrequently Entropin, Ptosis, Corneal Opacities, Retrobulbar Neuritis, Retinal Detachment, Episcleritis, Scleritis, Microphthalmos, Ocular FB, Chalazion, Stye, Nystagmus and Proptosis were also present in limited percentage. However 25.70% were referred to tertiary eye care center, 39.60% were treated with medicine, 22.20% were given optical correction, and 25.70% were given general measure. Most of them (73%) never went to an eye care specialist. The main reasons assigned for not going to a doctor were: financial constraints (16.30%), didn’t feel necessary (33.70%), lack of escort (3.4%), lack of time (3.7%), traditional belief (0.3%) and not aware of hospital doctor (4.5%). The Guardians consider recent cost of treatment is very high. They want low cost treatment, provide free spectacle, increase more hospital facilities and hold free eye camps. Conclusion: This study found very high ocular morbidities among slum children, the vast majority of the guardians’ cannot afford medical treatment for lack of money, awareness, escort, time and indifference to eyes. Though adequate eye care facilities are available in Chittagong city compared to many other urban and rural areas in Bangladesh, most of the slum dwellers can’t take advantage of it for financial reason and lack of knowledge.

Low First Wave COVID-19 cases and health seeking behaviors across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
C.N. Ukaga ◽  
S.O. Sam-Wobo ◽  
R.H. Muhammed ◽  
H.O. Mogaji ◽  
O.A. Surakat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Routine Testing ◽  
Home Management ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Very High ◽  
Age Category

This study was carried out across the six geopolitical zones to assess knowledge and health seeking behaviors of Nigerians during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in order to understand the seemingly low cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Structured and pretested short questionnaires were employed to obtain information electronically and physically across the six geopolitical zones on socio-demographic characteristics of participants; the knowledge of participants on COVID-19 disease; availability and accessibility to testing and isolation centers in the communities, attitudes and health seeking behaviors. Atotal of 1023 respondents; 705 (68.9%) males and 318 (31.1%) females across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria participated in this study with 477(46.6%) within the 26-45 years age category, and 6(0.6%) above 66 years. Atotal of 985(96.3%) had heard about COVID-19 at the time of survey while a total of  859(84.0%) of the respondents were aware of the presence of COVID-19 laboratory testing centers. Across the geopolitical zones, majority of the respondents 487(47.6%) claimed there are no routine testing for COVID-19 at their community level, while 303 (29.6%) affirmed otherwise and 216(21.1%) did not know if there were routine testing going on or not. On health seeking behaviors across the  country, majority of the respondents 558(54.5%) affirmed they would visit the hospital as the first point of contact if the opportunitypresented itself, 244(23.9%) claimed they would call the NCDC toll line, 2(0.2%) said they would use prayers, while 1(0.1%) respectively claimed they would use home management strategies through visiting chemist stores and checking the internet for solutions. Findings from this study confirm that there is very high awareness of the COVID-19 disease across the country, and limited number of testing centers at the community level. The implications include the possibility of unreported COVID19 cases in the cities as well as in the  communities. Keywords: COVID-19, knowledge, health seeking behaviors, community level 

scholarly journals Changes in Stroke Patients’ Health-Seeking Behavior by COVID-19 Epidemic Regions: Data from the Korean Stroke Registry

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Han-Yeong Jeong ◽  
Eung-Joon Lee ◽  
Min Kyoung Kang ◽  
Ki-Woong Nam ◽  
Jeonghoon Bae ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Stroke Registry ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Using Data

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to changes in stroke patients’ healthcare use. This study evaluated changes in Korean stroke patients’ health-seeking behaviors and stroke care services using data from the Korean Stroke Registry (KSR). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We reviewed data from patients with acute stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) during 2019 (before COVID-19 period) and 2020 (COVID-19 period). Outcomes included patient characteristics, time from stroke onset to hospital arrival, and in-hospital stroke pathways. Subgroup analyses were performed for an epidemic region (Daegu city and Gyeongsangbuk-do region, the D-G region). <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study included 1,792 patients from the pre-COVID-19 period and 1,555 patients from the COVID-19 period who visited hospitals that contribute to the KSR. During the COVID-19 period, the D-G region had two-thirds the number of cases (vs. the pre-CO­VID-19 period) and a significant decrease in the proportion of patients with TIA (9.97%–2.91%). Unlike other regions, the median onset-to-door time increased significantly in the D-G region (361 min vs. 526.5 min, <i>p</i> = 0.016), and longer onset-to-door times were common for patients with mild symptoms and who were in their 60s or 70s. The number of patients who underwent intravenous thrombolysis also decreased during the COVID-19 period, although the treatment times were not significantly different between the 2 periods. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Korean stroke patients in a CO­VID-19 epidemic region exhibited distinct changes in health-seeking behaviors. Appropriate triage system and public education regarding the importance of early treatment are needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Traditional eye medicine associated keratitis- Current trends and practices

2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 731-735
Author(s):  
Preethi B ◽  
Preeti Mittal ◽  
Kiran Kumar K ◽  
Sriya Sridhar ◽  
Suresh Babu G
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
South India ◽  
Corneal Ulcer ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Centre ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Demographic Profile ◽  
Study Population

To study the prevalence, types and demographic profile of traditional eye medicine (TEM) use among corneal ulcer patients presenting to a tertiary eye care centre in South India.A cross-sectional study conducted on 432 new corneal ulcer patients at a tertiary eye care centre in South India from September 2018 to July 2019. Data collected included demographic profile such as name, age, sex, occupation, income, rural/urban residence, type of TEM use. Of the 432 new corneal ulcer cases, 32 used TEM. Most TEM users belonged to the age group 40- 60 years (n= 20; 62.5%). There was no difference in sex distribution. Majority of TEM users in our study resided in rural areas (n= 30; 93.75%), were involved in agriculture as occupation (n=28, 87.5%) and belonged to the lower socioeconomic status n=31(96.88%) as per Kuppuswamy classification. Profile of TEM used ranged from plant extract (n= 14; 43.75%), tongue cleaning (n= 5; 15.63%), oil (n= 7; 21.87%), breast milk (n= 4; 12.5%) and ash (n= 2; 6.25%). Use of traditional medicine is a prevalent practice in the study population. These findings offer a better understanding of health seeking behaviour of the study population which will lead to better planning, implementation and targeting of preventive and promotive eye services and awareness programmes.

Bansara Eye Care: Growing Affordable Eye Care for the Rural Population

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (02) ◽  
pp. 357-384
Author(s):  
Teidorlang Lyngdoh ◽  
G. Sridhar ◽  
Prashant Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural Population ◽  
Rural Poor ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Expansion Strategy ◽  
Rural Markets ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Superstitious Belief ◽  
Ne India

Bansara eye care (BEC) is one of the first eye care providers in the state of Meghalaya, NE India and has brought many innovations in process and reduced cost of eye care treatment in the region. BEC has been trying to penetrate the rural markets, to educate and provide eye care services to the rural poor. The case deals with the challenges and poor acceptance of eye care services especially in the rural areas of the region. Lack of awareness and superstitious belief towards eye surgery was the main reason for poor penetration in the rural areas. The case highlights the key decisions that is required to be taken to be able to penetrate the rural markets and determine the expansion strategy.

Health seeking behaviour and health awareness among rural and urban adolescents in Dehradun District, Uttarakhand, India

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuhin Kumar ◽  
Piyalee Pal ◽  
Prabhdeep Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Public Sector Health

Abstract Background: Adolescents constituted 19% population of India in 2011. Adolescents have health seeking behaviour different from that of adults. We estimated the utilisation of available health care services by adolescents and awareness regarding various health issues in the urban and rural Dehradun District, Uttarakhand, India. We also described knowledge and practices of public sector health care providers. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among adolescents 10–19 years in the urban Dehradun and rural Chakrata block of the Dehradun District. We used cluster sampling with sample size 680 each in urban and rural areas. We collected data from adolescents using semi structured questionnaire on health awareness and utilisation of health care services. Public sector health care providers were surveyed about their knowledge and practices regarding adolescents health. Results: We surveyed 1463 adolescents. The overall mean age was 14.4 (2.6) years, about half being females. Half of the adolescents who had any illness used the public sector. Awareness about anaemia was 48% in urban and 12% in rural areas. A higher proportion of females (Rural: 89%, Urban: 76%) were aware of condoms as contraceptives than males (Rural: 68%, Urban: 12%). Only 62% of doctors and 49% of paramedical staff had knowledge regarding services under Adolescents Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH). Conclusion: Awareness regarding various health issues was low among males as compared to females, especially in rural areas. School based health promotion programs should be carried out to increase awareness among adolescents. Health facilities should be strengthened to provide adolescent friendly health services to enhance utilisation.

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

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e104128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Senyonjo ◽  
Robert Lindfield ◽  
Abdulraheem Mahmoud ◽  
Kahaki Kimani ◽  
Safiya Sanda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Ocular Morbidity

scholarly journals Co morbidities among cataract- operated patients in Rural Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-159
Author(s):  
Eliya Shrestha ◽  
Hari Bikram Adhikari ◽  
Indra Man Maharjan ◽  
Babita Gurung
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
English Language ◽  
Medical Terminology ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Interventional Study ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Total Burden ◽  
Rural Nepal

Introduction: Himalaya Eye Hospital (HEH), established in 1993, is providing eye care services in Gandaki, Dhaulagiri and Karnali zones. It has been providing surgical and nonsurgical eye camps in rural areas of Gandaki, Dhaulagiri and Karnali zones. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ocular and systemic co morbidities among the persons treated in rural Asian setting.Method: This is the prospective non-interventional study. Patients who came to take services in surgical eye camp in rural area of Nepal were included. Data were collected by interviewing the patients. They were interviewed by local volunteers with he questionnaires prepared in English language. The volunteers were explained about the medical terminology and they interviewed the patients in native language.Result: Out of 675 patients 401(59%) had systemic co morbidities. Back pain and arthritis being the most common with 321(48%) and 260(38%) respectively.Conclusion: This study shows the systemic co morbidities among the patients who came to seek ocular treatment in eye camp in rural area of Nepal. We should do this kind of studies in different area of Nepal. These kinds of study give us total burden of systemic morbidity and help to treat accordingly.

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.

Bilateral severe microphthalmos with bilateral colobomatus orbitopalpebral cyst: accessibility of speciality eye-care and rehabilitation services in low and middle-income countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. e241783
Author(s):  
Suwarna Suman ◽  
Arushi Kumar ◽  
Hement Uttamraw Rathod ◽  
Taruna Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Large Mass ◽  
Lower Eyelid ◽  
Late Presentation ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Right ◽  
Low And Middle Income

A 12-year-old girl presented with an unusually large mass under the right lower eyelid and a smaller mass under the left lower lid since the last 6 months. The parents had noticed the absence of the right eyeball and a very small left eyeball and no vision in both eyes since birth but did not approach the healthcare system. The patient was diagnosed as a case of bilateral severe microphthalmos with colobomatous cyst with late presentation and was treated surgically. The parents were counselled for education and training of the child in schools for visually impaired. Early treatment and rehabilitation help patients lead a normal life in these cases. In rural areas, patients face challenges in getting access to the specialty eye-care services due to several barriers, including lack of availability and affordability. This case highlights the disparities in essential health services in low and middle-income countries.

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