Barriers to Uptake of Low Vision Services In Cameroon: Case Study of Banso Baptist Hospital
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Kenchi Joseph Ngong , Jengwia Johnson Lucha, Dr. Beri Ngong and Awa Jacques Chirac 12th ISLRR (2017 Vision Conference) Vision 2017 Congress, the Hague, the Netherlands June 25th – 29th 2017, Theme: Low vision rehabilitation, a global right
Background
Results
2013), Cameroon has an estimated national disability prevalence of 5.4% (DHS IV, 2011). The Northwest region is one of two Cameroon English speaking regions with
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About 70 % of patients reported high cost of low vision devices as a major
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Located in central Africa with about 20,000,000 inhabitants (Nat. Stat,
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an estimated population of 2,000,000 inhabitants (Nat. Sat, 2013)
barrier to access. About 55% indicated erroneous beliefs. People think that low vision is
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witchcraft, Low vision services cannot help. Fashion was also found to be an issue Some clients complained that Low
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Vision Devices are heavy, and not attractive.
There are 3 ophthalmic secondary eye services with low vision services
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available in one –Banso Baptist Hospital, even though a huge number of
this ones are not looking nice and people will laugh at me when I put them on.” –18
people are suspected to be in need of low vision interventions.
years old student who access LV services
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41.000 persons are likely to be living with Low Vision in the Region.
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. In 2016, only 25 persons accessed the Low Vision service in Banso Baptist Hospital
High expectations - when people with low vision are referred they come with
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very high expectations, they think that their vision impairment will be fully
(BBH) about 0.06%. this represents very low uptake of services. 3 schools providing education for blind children exist with no standard school
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vision screening programs.
restored. Weak referrals from the Ophthalmic services: Most ophthalmic services tell
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the patients at the end of all medical interventions that nothing can be done,
In 2009, a comprehensive CBR program was set-up and based on needs
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“Can you remove the lens from the telescope and fit into a conventional frame, because
hence no referrals.
identified, the lone low vision service was introduced in 2011. CBR program facilitates access to services, identifies potential services and advocates for creation.
Purpose To identify key barriers to the uptake of low vision services in the Northwest Region of Cameroon.
Methods •
Fig I: Students studying in mainstream classroom with low vision devices
Using the WHO estimate for low vision prevalence (2%), extrapolations
Conclusions/ Recommendation
were made on the population of the NWR to have an estimate 41,000 people with low vision. •
The above value was compared to consultation data available at the low vision clinic the period, 2011 to 2016 and a huge discrepancy was observed. Only 247 patients used the services.
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A combination of exit interviews, observational analysis of consultations by ophthalmic staff and home visits to patients who consulted for low vision was undertaken.
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299 (141 males, 158 females) who accessed general eye services and/or low vision services completed exit interviews in which they shared their views with regards to low vision services.
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Frequency of barriers highlighted by patients was tabulated per category of patient.
The findings from the review indicate that much is required to improve awareness on the importance of low vision services at all levels of the community, from professional groups to families. Increased awareness can potentially improve uptake of low vision services, irrespective of the other compounding factors such as the unstylish design of low vision devices Recommendations 1. Talks on the importance of low vision services in general eye care should be designed and presented to all cadres of ophthalmic staff including ophthalmologist as a improving their collaboration and strengthening referral pathways with low vision clinics. 2. Explore ways of channeling feedback on consumer preferences to low vision device manufacturers with a view to make designed more contemporary. 3. Identify and use alternative and more engaging community awareness and education forums to sensitize the wider public on low vision and the availability of low vision devices.
Table I: Frequency of barriers to access low vision services highlighted by patient in Exit Interview Period: Jan to Dec 2016
Category
Bibliography Erroneous Style of Low Vision High Beliefs Devices Expectations
High Cost
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Banso Baptist Hospital, (2016) Low vision consultations, Low vision registers http://dhsprogram.com/what-we-do/survey/survey-display-337.cfm
Reviwed Patients
New Patients Total
125
98
107
62
85
67
73
42
210
165
180
104
http://www.statistics-cameroon.org/
www.postersession.com
