Jeremy A Gilmour-White1, Peter Shah2, Vinette Cross3, William Makupa4, Heiko Philippin5. 1. Walsall Manor Hospital, Birmingham, UK. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK Centre for Health and Social Care Improvement, Faculty of Education Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK. 3. NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK Centre for Health and Social Care Improvement, Faculty of Education Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK. 4. Eye Department, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania. 5. Eye Department, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania International Centre for Eye Health, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the barriers to access to eye health services for patients with glaucoma in Tanzania with the aim of identifying key areas for improvement and further research. DESIGN: Qualitative investigation using face-to-face semi-structured interviews with patients recruited from the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) outpatient eye clinic. This project is part of the international strategy of the Research into Glaucoma and Ethnicity (ReGAE) programme. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with the help of a translator; all data were transcribed in Swahili and then translated into English. Manual coding and qualitative analysis was used to identify major themes and relevant concepts. Data were collected during May and June 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative data on glaucoma awareness and access to healthcare. RESULTS: 12 patients (7 men, 5 women) of mean age 67.5 years (range 53-86 years) were interviewed. All participants had a previous diagnosis of glaucoma and no other eye conditions. The understanding of glaucoma was limited and the capacity for healthcare providers to improve glaucoma knowledge seemed underused. Participants had particular difficulty in understanding the aetiology and chronicity of the disease. Socioeconomic factors also posed significant barriers to service usage. CONCLUSIONS: Among many barriers to access to health services for patients with glaucoma, knowledge of the condition was identified as a key issue. Enhancing the understanding of glaucoma may improve access by triggering earlier presentation, informing those at risk and improving adherence to treatment. This is an area for further research with potential for improving service provision. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the barriers to access to eye health services for patients with glaucoma in Tanzania with the aim of identifying key areas for improvement and further research. DESIGN: Qualitative investigation using face-to-face semi-structured interviews with patients recruited from the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) outpatient eye clinic. This project is part of the international strategy of the Research into Glaucoma and Ethnicity (ReGAE) programme. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with the help of a translator; all data were transcribed in Swahili and then translated into English. Manual coding and qualitative analysis was used to identify major themes and relevant concepts. Data were collected during May and June 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative data on glaucoma awareness and access to healthcare. RESULTS: 12 patients (7 men, 5 women) of mean age 67.5 years (range 53-86 years) were interviewed. All participants had a previous diagnosis of glaucoma and no other eye conditions. The understanding of glaucoma was limited and the capacity for healthcare providers to improve glaucoma knowledge seemed underused. Participants had particular difficulty in understanding the aetiology and chronicity of the disease. Socioeconomic factors also posed significant barriers to service usage. CONCLUSIONS: Among many barriers to access to health services for patients with glaucoma, knowledge of the condition was identified as a key issue. Enhancing the understanding of glaucoma may improve access by triggering earlier presentation, informing those at risk and improving adherence to treatment. This is an area for further research with potential for improving service provision. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
Authors: Heiko Philippin; Einoti Matayan; Karin M Knoll; Edith Macha; Sia Mbishi; Andrew Makupa; Cristóvão Matsinhe; Vasco da Gama; Mario Monjane; Awum Joyce Ncheda; Francisco Alcides Mulobuana; Elisante Muna; Nelly Fopoussi; Gus Gazzard; Ana Patricia Marques; Peter Shah; David Macleod; William U Makupa; Matthew J Burton Journal: Lancet Glob Health Date: 2021-10-13 Impact factor: 38.927