scholarly journals Prevalence of severe visual impairment and barriers to access eye care services in the Udupi district

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-355
Author(s):  
Lavanya G. Rao ◽  
Dushyanth Sharma ◽  
Sulatha V. Bhandary ◽  
Divya Handa ◽  
Yogish Kamath
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

Aim: To assess the prevalence of severe visual impairment (SVI) and reasons for not accessing eye care services in a field practice area of a tertiary care hospital. Study design: Cross-sectional observational study. Materials and methods: Through a cross-sectional study using simple random sampling, a total of 1510, individuals above 18 years of age, from six rural and maternity welfare centers (RMCW) within a distance of 20 km from a tertiary hospital were approached. All participants underwent basic assessment of visual acuity, anterior segment evaluation using torch light, and answered a structured questionnaire on eye care. Results: Of 1510 subjects, 267 had SVI (defined as visual acuity < 6/60 either in one or both eyes) with a prevalence of 17.7%. SVI was higher among men and those above 60 years of age (52.8%). Significant association was found between barriers to accessing eye care facilities and lack of knowledge to access health care (p = 0.004), lack of financial support (95% CI, p = 0.006), and social reasons (95% CI, p = 0.028). Prevalence of SVI among diabetics was 32.7% as compared to non-diabetics (OR: 2.630; 95% confidence interval: 1.864–3.712), and among hypertensives was 34.61% as compared to non-hypertensives (OR: 2.836; 95% confidence interval: 1.977–4.068). Conclusion: In spite of being close to a tertiary care center, a prevalence of SVI in 17.7% of this population indicates a lack of knowledge regarding the importance of self-health care in subjects. This emphasizes the need to increase the awareness among the general public to access the ophthalmic health care facilities in order to improve the ocular health of the patients.

scholarly journals Comparison of visual acuity measured by ETDRS based smart phone applications I sight pro and Peek acuity versus traditional Snellen\\\'s chart visual acuity in children 6-14 years in a tertiary care institute in India

2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-637
Author(s):  
Abhilash B ◽  
Sinchana Adyanthaya
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Home Based ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Level Of Significance

Covid-19 pandemic has led to children missing schools due to which eye care screening activities at schools have taken a backseat. To mitigate this home based visual acuity estimation smartphone applications are increasingly being used for the purpose of tele-ophthalmology purposes, although with no validation of the same. We aim to fulfil this lacunae. Current study was a cross sectional analysis on 286 eyes of 148 children aged between 6years to 14years attending our OPD from April 2021 to June 2021, with non-acute ocular symptomatology. Snellen’s distant visual acuity was compared against the visual acuity recorded by smart phone based Isight pro app and Peek acuity smart phone app. Statistical analysis was performed by Bland Altmann analysis by using SPSS version 21 and p&#60;0.05 was taken as the level of significance. The mean differences between the smartphone-based test Isight pro and the Snellen’s chart and the smartphone-based test Peek acuity and Snellen’s acuity data were 0.06 (95%CI, 0.04–0.08) and 0.07 (95%CI,0.05–0.09) logMAR, respectively. Time taken to test visual acuity by Snellen’s chart was approximately 118.2±21.38 seconds, whereas with Isight pro and Peek acuity smart phone apps the time for testing was approximately 92±15.88 seconds and 94.03±19.73 seconds respectively. P&#60;0.05.The mean visual acuity was comparable with Snellen’s chart and ETDRS based smart phone apps like Isight pro and Peek acuity. The mean time to assess visual acuity was slightly more in Snellen’s acuity than with smart phone based apps. Inability to access eye care services through screening activities in schools has been mitigated effectively by using these smart phone apps. Hence these smart phone apps can be effectively used in tele-ophthalmologic practice and screening activities in these COVID-19 pandemic times.

scholarly journals Utilisation of public eye care services by the rural community residents in the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province, South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mologadi D. Ntsoane ◽  
Olalekan A. Oduntan ◽  
Benjamin L. Mpolokeng
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rural Villages ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Government

Background: Visual impairment and blindness are major health problems worldwide, especially in the rural and remote areas of developing countries. Utilisation of eye care services is essential to reduce the burden of visual impairment and blindness, and it is therefore important that it is monitored.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the level of utilisation of public eye care services and factors that might have influenced their usage in rural communities, Capricorn district, Limpopo Province, South Africa.Method: A population-based cross-sectional study design was used. Participants were residents in selected rural villages located within approximately 5 km of six Government hospitals. Following ethical approval and receipt of informed consent, a questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions was used to collect information on the utilisation of eye care services and factors that might influence utilisation. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chisquare test were used to analyse and compare the data.Results: Many (62.7%) of the respondents had used the government eye care services in the past. Over fifty-nine per cent (59.3%) of them were satisfied with the services. Factors reported to influence utilisation (such as monthly income, knowledge of available services and the need for regular eye tests) were positively associated with utilisation of eye care services in this study (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Utilisation of eye care services was relatively good, but varied significantly between sites. An awareness campaign by government and non-governmental organisations about eye care services may increase utilisation amongst rural communities.

scholarly journals Drug utilization pattern in four major wards of a tertiary hospital in eastern Nepal

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-65
Author(s):  
Deependra Prasad Sarraf ◽  
G P Rauniar ◽  
A Misra
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Brand Names ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Generic Prescribing

Background: Drugs play an important role in protecting, maintaining and restoring health. Drugs are prescribed irrationally throughout the world.Objective: To study the utilization of drugs in in-patient of four major ward of a tertiary care hospital in Nepal.Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in four major wards for duration of one month.Result: A total of 467 patients were prescribed a total of 2188 drugs among which 535 drugs were prescribed in surgery ward, 567 drugs in medicine ward, 220 drugs in pediatric ward and 866 drugs in obstetrics and gynecology ward. The average number of drugs per prescription was 4.68. All drugs were prescribed by brand names and generic prescribing was nil. Among all, 70.61% of drugs were from essential list of drugs.43.87% of drugs were given through injections. 34.41%, 26.05%, 11.7%, 6.35%, 6.17% and 4.84% of prescribed drugs were AMA, GIT, MSK, CNS, CVS and minerals and vitamins respectively. Four drugs per prescription were prescribed to 21.41% of the total patients (n=467).Conclusion: Polypharmacy, low rate of generic prescriptions and overuse of antibiotics still remain a problem in health care facilities in Nepal. This calls for sustained interventional strategies and periodic audit at all levels of health care to avoid the negative consequences of inappropriate prescriptions.Health Renaissance 2015;13(2): 50-65

scholarly journals Risk factors for women’s non-utilization of decentralized primary health care facilities for postnatal care in rural western Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 263349412092834
Author(s):  
Habtamu Tolera ◽  
Tegegne Gebre-Egziabher ◽  
Helmut Kloos
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Western Ethiopia

Objective: Evidence suggests postnatal care contributes to reductions in maternal mortality. In Ethiopia, the proportion of women who do not utilize postnatal care after birth is high and the frequency of postnatal checks falls short of the four visits recommended by World Health Organization. This study examined risk factors associated with non-utilization of decentralized local health facilities, namely, health posts, health centers, and a primary hospital, for postnatal care services in Gida Ayana Woreda in rural western Ethiopia. Methods: In this study, 454 mothers were examined for the following risk factors: kebele (the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia) in which decentralized health care facilities were located, postnatal woman’s age, antenatal care service visit, experience of postnatal complications, knowledge of postnatal complications, knowledge of the recommended number of postnatal care visits, knowledge of the availability/provision of postnatal care, and health extension workers’ home visits. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to identify predictors of non-utilization of decentralized local facilities for postnatal care services. Results: Over half (55.7%) of the women did not utilize postnatal care within 42 days of delivery, and only 10.0% utilized the care considered appropriate according to World Health Organization guidelines. After adjusting for various potential confounding factors, we found the following risks to be strongly associated with non-utilization of decentralized health care facilities for postnatal care services: some outer rural administrative decentralization entities such as Angar, Lalistu, and Ejere kebeles; age 35 years or older (adjusted odds ratio = 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–8.3), not receiving antenatal care during this pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–3.7), no experience of any postnatal complications (adjusted odds ratio = 3.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.7–6.4), and no knowledge of at least one postnatal complication (adjusted odds ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.2–3.3). Risk factors highly but less strongly associated with women’s non-utilization of postnatal care services were no knowledge of the standard number of postnatal care visits recommended, no knowledge about the availability/provision of services at a local health facility, and no home visit from health extension worker by day 3 post-delivery. Conclusion: The risk factors for women’s non-utilization of decentralized health care facilities for postnatal care identified in this study need to be considered in interventions for enhancing the utilization of the service and reducing maternal and newborn deaths in rural western Ethiopia. Strengthening of postnatal care services, especially in the more remote kebeles, should include upgrading of the referral system and expansion of counseling of women by health extension workers.

scholarly journals Health Care Network: Maternal perception regarding the quality of care to children with microcephaly

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Batista Conceição dos Santos ◽  
Elaine Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Sonia Oliveira Lima ◽  
Francisco Prado Reis ◽  
Cristiane da Costa Cunha Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Network ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health Care Network

Abstract Objective: To identify the perception of primary caregivers on the quality of the Health Care Network of children with microcephaly related to congenital infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out from October 2017 to April 2018. Results: The 105 participants assessed the health of their children as reasonable (56.1%). The level of care which got the highest percentage - 57 (54.3%) - of participants' dissatisfaction was of Primary Health Care (p=0.0216). Most of the specialties of secondary health care services were classified as poor/very poor, regarding the quality of the consultation at the secondary level (p<0.05). For the majority - 61 (58%) - of the mothers, regarding this level of attention, the items waiting time and appointment scheduling were evaluated as excellent/good (p<0.05). Conclusion and implications for practice: There is dissatisfaction among mothers considering the quality of services provided by the health care network for children with microcephaly, mainly in primary care. There was easiness in the access to Secondary Care, and little use of Tertiary Care services. It is urgent to elaborate policies that better disseminate humanization and facilitate the accessibility to multiprofessional care for those children.

scholarly journals Availability of low vision services and barriers to their provision and uptake in Ghana: practitioners’ perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 896-903
Author(s):  
Sylvester Kyeremeh ◽  
Khathutshelo P Mashige
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Brong Ahafo Region ◽  
Brong Ahafo

Background: Provision and uptake of low vision services are essential. Objective: To assess the availability of low vision services and barriers to their provision and uptake in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana from the perspective of eye care practitioners. Methods: A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study design using semi-structured questionnaires was used to collect information from eye care practitioners selected from 58 eye care facilities in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana. Results: Forty-four eye care practitioners from Ashanti region and 10 from Brong Ahafo region responded to the question- naire. Seventeen (34%) of the 50 eye care facilities who reported having patients seeking low vision services in their facilities provided such services. Lack of low vision devices (94.4%) and equipment (87%) were reported to be the main barriers to the provision of low vision services. Major barriers to low vision services uptake were lack of awareness (88.7%), high cost (70.4%) and social unacceptability of low vision assistive devices (59.3%). Conclusion: Lack of adequate low vision services and barriers to their provision and uptake impact negatively on efforts to prevent visual impairment and blindness in Ghana. Keywords: Low vision services; provision; barriers.

scholarly journals A review of factors influencing the utilization of eye care services

2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Ntsoane ◽  
O. A. Oduntan
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Eye Diseases ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Social And Cultural Factors ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

Visual impairment (low vision and blindness) is a major health concern all over the world. Three main reasons for the high prevalence of visual impairment are non-availability, non-accessibility andnon-affordability of eye care services. However, there are several factors that may act as barriers to the use of available, accessible and affordable eye care services. These include the lack of knowledge of the services, lack of knowledge of the possible impact of an eye disease and lack of knowledge of who to consult for management of eye diseases. Also, demographic, personal, social and cultural factors may influence or act as barriers to eye care utilization. These various factors are reviewed in this article. Where there is poor utilization of available services, educational campaigns would lead to better understanding and promote greater utilization of eye care services. Early detection and management of eye diseases would reduce the burden of visual impairment and disability. Therefore, eye care providers and health care managers must have good knowledge of the various factors that would negatively influence utilization of eye care services and be responsive to them. (S Afr Optom 2010 69(4) 182-193)

FIRST AID AND TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN ACCIDENT INJURY IN BUON MA THUOT CITY, DAK LAK PROVINCE 2014

2017 ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
Van Hung Nguyen ◽  
Van Thang Vo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Accident Injuries ◽  
Accident Injury

Background: Accident injuries caused has been serious heatlth problem in developing coutries. Children is vulnerable group with accident injury beucase of lacking knowlegde and exposing with risk factors in eviromental household. The treatment outcome for accident injury of children usually has more serious than other groups. The aims of this study to describle some characteristics of first aid and the outcome of treatment for children accident in Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak provice in 2014. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted total 2,273 household which was 4,505 children aged under 16 in 8 communes, Buon Ma Thuot city, Daklak province. Interview technique with structural questionnaire and household observation methods were used for data collection. Results: The propotion of first aid was 75.9%; not received any first aid (23.8%); mortality at accident place (0.3%). At the time accident: The highest personal involving first aid was pedestrians 54.1%; 25% of health staff, self- first aid was 14.5%. Two main of first aid methods were hemostasis and bandeged with 45.5%; 28% respectiviely. After first aid, there was 80% delivering to health care facilities. The transport methods were motocycle (91.8%), car (5.6%) and ambulance (0.4%). The rate of approach health care facilities around early 6 hours were 86.7%. The characteristics of damages: sub-damages (scratches, dislocations, sprains...) were 36.9 %, deep damages (fractures, open wounds) accounted for 44.6%. Inpatient treatment was 23.9%; 91.5% medical therapy, surgery of 8.2%. The outcome of treatment were good (97.2%), sequelae/disability 2.6%. Conclusion: First aid activities for children at time and properly right were demonstrated effectively for prevented seriously outcome. There should be an intervention program for children with the appropriate models to reduce accident injuries in children; improvement first aid to communities and health care worker. Key words: accident injury, first aid, capacity first care, children under 16 years old

Assessing the Preparedness of Healthcare Facilities for Disasters and Emergencies in Damghan, Iran

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Behrad Pourmohammadi ◽  
Ahad Heydari ◽  
Farin Fatemi ◽  
Ali Modarresi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives: Iran is exposed to a wide range of natural and man-made hazards. Health-care facilities can play a significant role in providing life-saving measures in the minutes and hours immediately following the impact or exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the preparedness of health-care facilities in disasters and emergencies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Damghan, Semnan Province, in 2019. The samples consisted of all the 11 health-care facilities located in Damghan County. A developed checklist was used to collect the data, including 272 questions in 4 sections: understanding threatening hazards, functional, structural, and nonstructural vulnerability of health-care facilities. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: The results revealed that the health-care facilities were exposed to 22 different natural and man-made hazards throughout the county. The total level of preparedness of the health-care centers under assessment was 45.8%. The average functional, structural, and nonstructural vulnerability was assessed at 49.3%, 31.6%, and 56.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Conducting mitigation measures is necessary for promoting the functional and structural preparedness. Disaster educational programs and exercises are recommended among the health staff in health-care facilities.

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