Original Research Article
Year: 2016 | Month: October | Volume: 6 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 46-51
Awareness and Accessibility of Existing Tertiary Eye Care Facility by Rural Dwellers of Aramoko Community
Omotoye Olusola J1, Ajayi Iyiade A1, Salami Tajudeen K2
1Consultant Ophthalmologist, 2Ophthalmic Resgistrar,
Department of Ophthalmology, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
Corresponding Author: Omotoye Olusola J
ABSTRACT
Availability and accessibility of eye care facility are important at all levels of eye care in order to eliminate avoidable blindness.
Purpose: This study was to assess the awareness and accessibility of the existing eye care facility by the rural dwellers of Aramoko community.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional community based survey was carried out among all individuals aged 5 years and above who presented with eye complaints during a sponsored eye camp in the locality. Using a pre-designed and pre-tested interview schedule the following information, demographic characteristics, awareness and accessibility of the eye care facility at the state capital was obtained. Ocular examination was done and diagnosis made. Data obtained were recorded and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Results: A total of 127 participants were screened: 54 (42.5%) males and 73 (57.5%) females with a male to female ratio of 1:1.4. The awareness level of the existing eye care facility was 78 (61.4%); 53.8% among participants >50 years and 46.2% among those <50 years. Of the 78 (61.4%) that were aware 14 (17.9%) had access to the existing facility despite having eye complaints. There was strong correlation between gender and access to eye care facility (ANOVA F=8.817, p=0.004). Refractive error 71(55.9%) topped the list of diagnosis.
Conclusion: Despite high level of awareness of this existing eye care facility there was low accessibility to the facility with indicators of inadequate and insufficient eye care services.
Key words: Accessibility, Awareness, Community, Eye-care facility.