Emergent Ophthalmic Disease Knowledge among Non-Ophthalmologist Healthcare Professionals in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia: Cross-Sectional Study

Background:

Patients with emergent ophthalmic diseases are likely to be examined by healthcare providers before an ophthalmologist, so it is essential that nonspecialists have adequate knowledge for recognition and preliminary diagnosis.

Objectives:

To assess knowledge of retinal detachment, acute angle-closure glaucoma, temporal arteritis, and central retinal artery occlusion among non-ophthalmologist healthcare professionals.

Methods:

We conducted an observational cross-sectional study of 351 healthcare workers, including medical residents, nurses, pharmacists, and optometrists, in western Saudi Arabia using a self-report questionnaire.

Results:

Total knowledge scores were 75.21% for retinal detachment and 74.9% for acute angle-closure glaucoma, but only 44.15% for temporal arteritis and 41.88% for central retinal artery occlusion. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that level of education was the most significant factor influencing knowledge of different eye diseases.

Conclusion:

Ophthalmologists are encouraged to promote greater awareness and provide other healthcare professionals with the knowledge required to recognize emergent eye diseases for early detection.

A systemic review of barriers to accessing paediatric eye care services in African countries

Background

Global estimate reported that 1.4 million children are blind of which three-quarters live in developing countries. Childhood Visual Impairment is a major public health problem globally especially in rural areas of developing countries.

Objective

To review barriers to accessing paediatric eye care services in African countries.

Methods

The studies in this review were searched in online databases (PubMed, Web of Sciences, ProQuest, Scopus, Google Scholar, African Index Medicus and Medline) for studies published between January 2000 and April 2020. The articles included in this review, which was conducted in Africa to assess the barriers for accessing paediatric eye care services with regards availability, accessibility, affordability, socio cultural barriers of parents/caregivers and community.

Results

Of 22 705 articles screened, the study found 29 publications from 10 African countries which met the inclusion criteria. The main barriers were non-availability, non-accessibility, and non-affordability of paediatric eye care services. The studies reviewed revealed that there are other factors affecting the utilization of paediatric eye services which include the primary health system, geographic barriers, health beliefs, perception of parents; lack of knowledge, attitudes and practices about paediatric eye care. Furthermore, environmental, demographic barriers and socio-economic status has negative impact on accessing paediatric eye care services in African counties.

Conclusion

The main barriers to accessing paediatric eye care services in Africa were affordability, accessibility and availability. There is therefore a need for all relevant stakeholders to play a significant role in addressing barriers to child eye care in African countries.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Eye Health among Public Sector Eye Health Workers in South Africa

In South Africa, primary eye care is largely challenged in its organisational structure, availability of human and other resources, and clinical competency. These do meet the standard required by the National Department of Health. This study seeks to assess the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices on eye health amongst Human Resources for eye health (HReH) and their managers, as no study has assessed this previously. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 districts of a South African province. A total of 101 participants completed self-administered, close-ended, Likert-scaled questionnaires anonymously. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted, and values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Most participants had adequate knowledge (81.6%), positive attitudes (69%), and satisfactory practices (73%) in eye health. HReH showed better knowledge than their managers (p < 0.01). Participants with a university degree, those aged 30-44 years, and those employed for <5 years showed a good attitude (p < 0.05) towards their work. Managers, who supervise and plan for eye health, were 99% less likely to practice adequately in eye health when compared with HReH (aOR = 0.012; p < 0.01). Practices in eye health were best amongst participants with an undergraduate degree, those aged 30-44 years (aOR = 2.603; p < 0.05), and participants with <5 years of employment (aOR = 26.600; p < 0.01). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices were found to be significantly moderately correlated with each other (p < 0.05). Eye health managers have poorer knowledge and practices of eye health than the HReH. A lack of direction is presented by the lack of adequately trained directorates for eye health. It is therefore recommended that policymakers review appointment requirements to ensure that adequately trained and qualified directorates be appointed to manage eye health in each district.