Background Psychological distress in vision impairments and blindness is a complex issue and a ma... more Background Psychological distress in vision impairments and blindness is a complex issue and a major public health concern. Sudden adjustments in routine lifestyle and career aspirations in such persons culminate in and/or aggravate their level of stress. Yet, psychological distress in persons with visual difficulties and vision loss in South Africa is poorly understood. We investigated the association between psychological distress and self-reported vision difficulties as well as clinician-assessed vision loss using data from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). Methods Data was analysed on participants aged ≥ 15 years who participated in the SANHANES-1 clinical examinations and interviews. Data on demographic, socio-economic, and health status variables were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler psychological distress scale (K10). Vision assessment was conducted by clinicians adh...
Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. People with diabetes... more Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing visual impairment and other diabetes-related visual complications. The study aims to determine the eyecare utilization pattern and its associated determinants among diabetics in the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). Results: The mean age of participants was 56.2 years and 66.6% were females. The prevalence of eyecare utilization among participants was 49.0% and this differed significantly by age groups (p = 0.024) and the number of years since diabetes diagnosis (p < 0.001). After statistical adjustments, older age (55-64 years OR = 4.18, p = 0.003 and ≥ 65 years OR = 4.78, p = 0.002), having health insurance (OR = 6.32, p = 0.002), and having had diabetes for 6-10 years (OR = 4.23, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with eye care utilization. About half of people diagnosed with diabetes in South Africa have had an eye examination since diabetes diagnosis, which is disturbingly low given the impact of diabetes complications on eye health. Government policies must be directed at ensuring access to affordable health insurance and eye health education on diabetes.
ABSTRACT Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persist... more ABSTRACT Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
Background Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is di... more Background Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa. Methods Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially. Results The study sampled 3320...
Background
Job satisfaction refers to the feeling of contentment one experiences with their job. ... more Background Job satisfaction refers to the feeling of contentment one experiences with their job. Job satisfaction among opticians is a crucial variable in determining their motivation and has consequential influence on the quality of eye health care, systems and services. Nevertheless, little has been done to assess job satisfaction levels among human resources for eye-health, such as opticians, in Ghana. This study assessed (for the first time) the job satisfaction level among opticians in Ghana, and the factors associated with their job satisfaction.
Methods This was a cross-sectional survey involving all registered and licensed opticians working in Ghana. A validated, well-structured job satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to 195 opticians across all regions of the country. The questionnaire was composed of 15-item job satisfaction variables which were measured on a five-point Likert scale (‘1—strongly disagree’ to ‘5—strongly agree’). Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and factors of job satisfaction, and the overall job satisfaction level.
Results A total of 101 opticians responded to the study. The mean presenting age of all participants was 25.3 ± 5.0 years (21 to 47 years), with majority being males (57.4%). The mean score of the overall job satisfaction level reported by participants was 2.65, with 12.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0–21.0%) of them being satisfied with their jobs. There was no statistically significant association between overall job satisfaction and sociodemographic characteristics (p > 0.05; for all). Only salary was significantly associated with overall level of job satisfaction (odds ratio [OR]: 16.5; 95% CI: 2.06–132.86; p = 0.008).
Conclusion Majority of opticians working in Ghana were not satisfied with their jobs. Enhancing salary/remuneration would improve the job satisfaction level among opticians in the country. There is the need for effective management of human resources for eye-health (particularly opticians) and policy revision on ophthalmic healthcare administration in Ghana.
Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent seque... more Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
Background: Psychological distress in vision impairments and blindness is a complex issue and a m... more Background: Psychological distress in vision impairments and blindness is a complex issue and a major public health concern. Sudden adjustments in routine lifestyle and career aspirations in such persons culminate in and/or aggravate their level of stress. Yet, psychological distress in persons with visual difficulties and vision loss in South Africa is poorly understood. We investigated the association between psychological distress and self-reported vision difficulties as well as clinician-assessed vision loss using data from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). Methods: Data was analysed on participants aged ≥ 15 years who participated in the SANHANES-1 clinical examinations and interviews. Data on demographic, socioeconomic , and health status variables were gathered using a struc-tured questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler psychological distress scale (K10). Vision assessment was conducted by clinicians adhering to standard protocols as well as by participants' subjective response to vision-related questions. Vision loss was defined as presenting visual acuity worse than Snellen 6/12 in the better eye. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the association between vision parameters and psychological distress. Results: The analytic sample comprised 6859 participants with mean age of 38.4 years (60.8% females). The prevalence of psychological distress was 19.9%. After adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic, health risk and eye care variables, self-reported myopia (mild adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.7; moderate AOR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.7; severe AOR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.8-7.3) and self-reported hyperopia (mild AOR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5; moderate AOR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.5-3.8; severe AOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.8-6.8) were significantly associated with psychological distress. While psychological distress was higher in patients with clinician assessed vision loss than those with normal vision, the association was not statistically significant after adjusting for confounders (AOR: 1.0, 95% CI 0.7-1.4). Conclusions: Persons who self-reported vision difficulty experienced a higher prevalence of psychological distress. Therefore, comprehensive psychological care is needed for patients with eye disease or vision difficulties as part of a governmental strategy to provide mental health care for all South Africans.
Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent seque... more Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
Background
Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is di... more Background Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa.
Methods Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially.
Results The study sampled 3320 participants, with 64.9% being females. 73.4% (95% CI [69.7–76.7]) of participants had never had an eye examination. After statistical adjustment, age groups (compared with 15–29 years: 30-44 years Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.76; 45-59 years OR = 2.13; 60-74 years OR = 2.74; ≥75 years OR = 3.22), ethnicity (compared with African descent: white OR = 4.71; mixed-race OR = 1.87; Indian OR = 7.67), high risk alcohol use (OR = 1.83), wealth index (compared with lowest quintile: third quintile OR = 1.75; fourth quintile OR = 2.23; fifth quintile OR = 2.49), health insurance (OR = 2.19), diabetes (OR = 1.75), high cholesterol (OR = 2.51), having assessed healthcare in the past 5 years (OR = 2.42), and self-reported vision problems (OR = 1.51) were significantly associated with eye care utilization.
Conclusion Almost three-quarters of South Africans sampled were not utilizing eye care services. It is imperative to strengthen current public health measures (including eye health promotion programs) to address the alarmingly low uptake of eye care services as well as the disparities in eye care utilization in South Africa.
Background: Job satisfaction describes an employee's motivation and/or feeling of satisfaction to... more Background: Job satisfaction describes an employee's motivation and/or feeling of satisfaction towards his/her work. Globally, healthcare professionals' turnover and retention play a critical role in the delivery of essential health services. In Ghana, however, little has been done to ascertain job satisfaction levels among human resources for eye-health. The objective of this study therefore was to assess job satisfaction and its associated factors among optom-etrists in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 304 registered and licensed optometrists of the Ghana Optometric Association between September 2018 and June 2019. A validated, well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics of participants and measures on job satisfaction. Scores from a five-point Likert scale was employed to examine job satisfaction and its associated factors. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between overall job satisfaction and its associated factors using Rasch logit scores. Results: A total of 214 optometrists gave valid responses to the questionnaires used for the final analysis. The mean (± SD) score of the overall perception of job satisfaction among optometrists was 3.36 (± 1.00), with 74.3% of them being satisfied with their jobs. After statistical adjustment, Good work-life balance (Unstandardized coefficient (β) = 0.288, p = 0.001), Salary (β = 0.222, p < 0.0005), Supervision (β = 0.117, p = 0.044), and Continuing Education Opportunities (β = 0.138, p = 0.017) were all significantly associated with higher levels of overall job satisfaction. Conclusions: Most optometrists were satisfied with their jobs. Effective strategic planning and management of human resources for eye-health in Ghana are essential in the development of quality eye-health systems and the provision of high-quality eyecare services.
Background
Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is di... more Background Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa.
Methods Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially.
Results The study sampled 3320 participants, with 64.9% being females. 73.4% (95% CI [69.7–76.7]) of participants had never had an eye examination. After statistical adjustment, age groups (compared with 15–29 years: 30-44 years Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.76; 45-59 years OR = 2.13; 60-74 years OR = 2.74; ≥75 years OR = 3.22), ethnicity (compared with African descent: white OR = 4.71; mixed-race OR = 1.87; Indian OR = 7.67), high risk alcohol use (OR = 1.83), wealth index (compared with lowest quintile: third quintile OR = 1.75; fourth quintile OR = 2.23; fifth quintile OR = 2.49), health insurance (OR = 2.19), diabetes (OR = 1.75), high cholesterol (OR = 2.51), having assessed healthcare in the past 5 years (OR = 2.42), and self-reported vision problems (OR = 1.51) were significantly associated with eye care utilization.
Conclusion Almost three-quarters of South Africans sampled were not utilizing eye care services. It is imperative to strengthen current public health measures (including eye health promotion programs) to address the alarmingly low uptake of eye care services as well as the disparities in eye care utilization in South Africa
Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. People with diabetes... more Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing visual impairment and other diabetes-related visual complications. The study aims to determine the eyecare utilization pattern and its associated determinants among diabetics in the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). Results: The mean age of participants was 56.2 years and 66.6% were females. The prevalence of eyecare utilization among participants was 49.0% and this differed significantly by age groups (p = 0.024) and the number of years since diabetes diagnosis (p < 0.001). After statistical adjustments, older age (55-64 years OR = 4.18, p = 0.003 and ≥ 65 years OR = 4.78, p = 0.002), having health insurance (OR = 6.32, p = 0.002), and having had diabetes for 6-10 years (OR = 4.23, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with eye care utilization. About half of people diagnosed with diabetes in South Africa have had an eye examination since diabetes diagnosis, which is disturbingly low given the impact of diabetes complications on eye health. Government policies must be directed at ensuring access to affordable health insurance and eye health education on diabetes.
Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent seque... more Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
Background Psychological distress in vision impairments and blindness is a complex issue and a ma... more Background Psychological distress in vision impairments and blindness is a complex issue and a major public health concern. Sudden adjustments in routine lifestyle and career aspirations in such persons culminate in and/or aggravate their level of stress. Yet, psychological distress in persons with visual difficulties and vision loss in South Africa is poorly understood. We investigated the association between psychological distress and self-reported vision difficulties as well as clinician-assessed vision loss using data from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). Methods Data was analysed on participants aged ≥ 15 years who participated in the SANHANES-1 clinical examinations and interviews. Data on demographic, socio-economic, and health status variables were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler psychological distress scale (K10). Vision assessment was conducted by clinicians adh...
Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. People with diabetes... more Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing visual impairment and other diabetes-related visual complications. The study aims to determine the eyecare utilization pattern and its associated determinants among diabetics in the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). Results: The mean age of participants was 56.2 years and 66.6% were females. The prevalence of eyecare utilization among participants was 49.0% and this differed significantly by age groups (p = 0.024) and the number of years since diabetes diagnosis (p < 0.001). After statistical adjustments, older age (55-64 years OR = 4.18, p = 0.003 and ≥ 65 years OR = 4.78, p = 0.002), having health insurance (OR = 6.32, p = 0.002), and having had diabetes for 6-10 years (OR = 4.23, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with eye care utilization. About half of people diagnosed with diabetes in South Africa have had an eye examination since diabetes diagnosis, which is disturbingly low given the impact of diabetes complications on eye health. Government policies must be directed at ensuring access to affordable health insurance and eye health education on diabetes.
ABSTRACT Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persist... more ABSTRACT Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
Background Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is di... more Background Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa. Methods Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially. Results The study sampled 3320...
Background
Job satisfaction refers to the feeling of contentment one experiences with their job. ... more Background Job satisfaction refers to the feeling of contentment one experiences with their job. Job satisfaction among opticians is a crucial variable in determining their motivation and has consequential influence on the quality of eye health care, systems and services. Nevertheless, little has been done to assess job satisfaction levels among human resources for eye-health, such as opticians, in Ghana. This study assessed (for the first time) the job satisfaction level among opticians in Ghana, and the factors associated with their job satisfaction.
Methods This was a cross-sectional survey involving all registered and licensed opticians working in Ghana. A validated, well-structured job satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to 195 opticians across all regions of the country. The questionnaire was composed of 15-item job satisfaction variables which were measured on a five-point Likert scale (‘1—strongly disagree’ to ‘5—strongly agree’). Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and factors of job satisfaction, and the overall job satisfaction level.
Results A total of 101 opticians responded to the study. The mean presenting age of all participants was 25.3 ± 5.0 years (21 to 47 years), with majority being males (57.4%). The mean score of the overall job satisfaction level reported by participants was 2.65, with 12.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0–21.0%) of them being satisfied with their jobs. There was no statistically significant association between overall job satisfaction and sociodemographic characteristics (p > 0.05; for all). Only salary was significantly associated with overall level of job satisfaction (odds ratio [OR]: 16.5; 95% CI: 2.06–132.86; p = 0.008).
Conclusion Majority of opticians working in Ghana were not satisfied with their jobs. Enhancing salary/remuneration would improve the job satisfaction level among opticians in the country. There is the need for effective management of human resources for eye-health (particularly opticians) and policy revision on ophthalmic healthcare administration in Ghana.
Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent seque... more Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
Background: Psychological distress in vision impairments and blindness is a complex issue and a m... more Background: Psychological distress in vision impairments and blindness is a complex issue and a major public health concern. Sudden adjustments in routine lifestyle and career aspirations in such persons culminate in and/or aggravate their level of stress. Yet, psychological distress in persons with visual difficulties and vision loss in South Africa is poorly understood. We investigated the association between psychological distress and self-reported vision difficulties as well as clinician-assessed vision loss using data from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). Methods: Data was analysed on participants aged ≥ 15 years who participated in the SANHANES-1 clinical examinations and interviews. Data on demographic, socioeconomic , and health status variables were gathered using a struc-tured questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler psychological distress scale (K10). Vision assessment was conducted by clinicians adhering to standard protocols as well as by participants' subjective response to vision-related questions. Vision loss was defined as presenting visual acuity worse than Snellen 6/12 in the better eye. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the association between vision parameters and psychological distress. Results: The analytic sample comprised 6859 participants with mean age of 38.4 years (60.8% females). The prevalence of psychological distress was 19.9%. After adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic, health risk and eye care variables, self-reported myopia (mild adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.7; moderate AOR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.7; severe AOR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.8-7.3) and self-reported hyperopia (mild AOR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5; moderate AOR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.5-3.8; severe AOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.8-6.8) were significantly associated with psychological distress. While psychological distress was higher in patients with clinician assessed vision loss than those with normal vision, the association was not statistically significant after adjusting for confounders (AOR: 1.0, 95% CI 0.7-1.4). Conclusions: Persons who self-reported vision difficulty experienced a higher prevalence of psychological distress. Therefore, comprehensive psychological care is needed for patients with eye disease or vision difficulties as part of a governmental strategy to provide mental health care for all South Africans.
Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent seque... more Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
Background
Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is di... more Background Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa.
Methods Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially.
Results The study sampled 3320 participants, with 64.9% being females. 73.4% (95% CI [69.7–76.7]) of participants had never had an eye examination. After statistical adjustment, age groups (compared with 15–29 years: 30-44 years Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.76; 45-59 years OR = 2.13; 60-74 years OR = 2.74; ≥75 years OR = 3.22), ethnicity (compared with African descent: white OR = 4.71; mixed-race OR = 1.87; Indian OR = 7.67), high risk alcohol use (OR = 1.83), wealth index (compared with lowest quintile: third quintile OR = 1.75; fourth quintile OR = 2.23; fifth quintile OR = 2.49), health insurance (OR = 2.19), diabetes (OR = 1.75), high cholesterol (OR = 2.51), having assessed healthcare in the past 5 years (OR = 2.42), and self-reported vision problems (OR = 1.51) were significantly associated with eye care utilization.
Conclusion Almost three-quarters of South Africans sampled were not utilizing eye care services. It is imperative to strengthen current public health measures (including eye health promotion programs) to address the alarmingly low uptake of eye care services as well as the disparities in eye care utilization in South Africa.
Background: Job satisfaction describes an employee's motivation and/or feeling of satisfaction to... more Background: Job satisfaction describes an employee's motivation and/or feeling of satisfaction towards his/her work. Globally, healthcare professionals' turnover and retention play a critical role in the delivery of essential health services. In Ghana, however, little has been done to ascertain job satisfaction levels among human resources for eye-health. The objective of this study therefore was to assess job satisfaction and its associated factors among optom-etrists in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 304 registered and licensed optometrists of the Ghana Optometric Association between September 2018 and June 2019. A validated, well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics of participants and measures on job satisfaction. Scores from a five-point Likert scale was employed to examine job satisfaction and its associated factors. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between overall job satisfaction and its associated factors using Rasch logit scores. Results: A total of 214 optometrists gave valid responses to the questionnaires used for the final analysis. The mean (± SD) score of the overall perception of job satisfaction among optometrists was 3.36 (± 1.00), with 74.3% of them being satisfied with their jobs. After statistical adjustment, Good work-life balance (Unstandardized coefficient (β) = 0.288, p = 0.001), Salary (β = 0.222, p < 0.0005), Supervision (β = 0.117, p = 0.044), and Continuing Education Opportunities (β = 0.138, p = 0.017) were all significantly associated with higher levels of overall job satisfaction. Conclusions: Most optometrists were satisfied with their jobs. Effective strategic planning and management of human resources for eye-health in Ghana are essential in the development of quality eye-health systems and the provision of high-quality eyecare services.
Background
Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is di... more Background Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa.
Methods Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially.
Results The study sampled 3320 participants, with 64.9% being females. 73.4% (95% CI [69.7–76.7]) of participants had never had an eye examination. After statistical adjustment, age groups (compared with 15–29 years: 30-44 years Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.76; 45-59 years OR = 2.13; 60-74 years OR = 2.74; ≥75 years OR = 3.22), ethnicity (compared with African descent: white OR = 4.71; mixed-race OR = 1.87; Indian OR = 7.67), high risk alcohol use (OR = 1.83), wealth index (compared with lowest quintile: third quintile OR = 1.75; fourth quintile OR = 2.23; fifth quintile OR = 2.49), health insurance (OR = 2.19), diabetes (OR = 1.75), high cholesterol (OR = 2.51), having assessed healthcare in the past 5 years (OR = 2.42), and self-reported vision problems (OR = 1.51) were significantly associated with eye care utilization.
Conclusion Almost three-quarters of South Africans sampled were not utilizing eye care services. It is imperative to strengthen current public health measures (including eye health promotion programs) to address the alarmingly low uptake of eye care services as well as the disparities in eye care utilization in South Africa
Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. People with diabetes... more Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing visual impairment and other diabetes-related visual complications. The study aims to determine the eyecare utilization pattern and its associated determinants among diabetics in the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). Results: The mean age of participants was 56.2 years and 66.6% were females. The prevalence of eyecare utilization among participants was 49.0% and this differed significantly by age groups (p = 0.024) and the number of years since diabetes diagnosis (p < 0.001). After statistical adjustments, older age (55-64 years OR = 4.18, p = 0.003 and ≥ 65 years OR = 4.78, p = 0.002), having health insurance (OR = 6.32, p = 0.002), and having had diabetes for 6-10 years (OR = 4.23, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with eye care utilization. About half of people diagnosed with diabetes in South Africa have had an eye examination since diabetes diagnosis, which is disturbingly low given the impact of diabetes complications on eye health. Government policies must be directed at ensuring access to affordable health insurance and eye health education on diabetes.
Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent seque... more Amblyopia is a developmental ocular disease of childhood-onset which may lead to persistent sequelae into adulthood. Early detection and management of amblyopia usually result in an improved visual outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana. Clinical records of patients seen (from January 2014 to December 2018) at Westphalian Medical Center, Oyoko, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were reviewed retrospectively. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a two-line interocular difference or more in visual acuity. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of Snellen 6/12 or worse in both eyes, with evidence of bilateral ametropia or obstruction of the visual pathway. Following a review of 12,602 patient records, 258 cases of amblyopia were identified. The mean (±SD) presenting age of amblyopic patients was 24.3 ± 16.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. The period prevalence of amblyopia was 2.04%. The period prevalence of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia was 1.38% and 0.66%, respectively. The most prevalent form of amblyopia was refractive with a cumulative prevalence of 1.42%. Strabismic and stimulus deprivation amblyopia accounted for 0.36% and 0.21% of all amblyopic cases, respectively. A major cause of amblyopia in this population was refractive error, hence the use of spectacle correction for its initial management. Repeated assessment after an appropriate period of refractive adaptation would elucidate the proportion of amblyopias needing additional treatment modalities. Vision screening for early detection of amblyopia in childhood with accessible and effective management of amblyopia (including refractive correction and occlusion treatment) is necessary to reduce the impact of amblyopia in Ghana.
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Papers by Akosua Kesewah
Job satisfaction refers to the feeling of contentment one experiences with their job. Job satisfaction among opticians is a crucial variable in determining their motivation and has consequential influence on the quality of eye health care, systems and services. Nevertheless, little has been done to assess job satisfaction levels among human resources for eye-health, such as opticians, in Ghana. This study assessed (for the first time) the job satisfaction level among opticians in Ghana, and the factors associated with their job satisfaction.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional survey involving all registered and licensed opticians working in Ghana. A validated, well-structured job satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to 195 opticians across all regions of the country. The questionnaire was composed of 15-item job satisfaction variables which were measured on a five-point Likert scale (‘1—strongly disagree’ to ‘5—strongly agree’). Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and factors of job satisfaction, and the overall job satisfaction level.
Results
A total of 101 opticians responded to the study. The mean presenting age of all participants was 25.3 ± 5.0 years (21 to 47 years), with majority being males (57.4%). The mean score of the overall job satisfaction level reported by participants was 2.65, with 12.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0–21.0%) of them being satisfied with their jobs. There was no statistically significant association between overall job satisfaction and sociodemographic characteristics (p > 0.05; for all). Only salary was significantly associated with overall level of job satisfaction (odds ratio [OR]: 16.5; 95% CI: 2.06–132.86; p = 0.008).
Conclusion
Majority of opticians working in Ghana were not satisfied with their jobs. Enhancing salary/remuneration would improve the job satisfaction level among opticians in the country. There is the need for effective management of human resources for eye-health (particularly opticians) and policy revision on ophthalmic healthcare administration in Ghana.
Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa.
Methods
Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially.
Results
The study sampled 3320 participants, with 64.9% being females. 73.4% (95% CI [69.7–76.7]) of participants had never had an eye examination. After statistical adjustment, age groups (compared with 15–29 years: 30-44 years Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.76; 45-59 years OR = 2.13; 60-74 years OR = 2.74; ≥75 years OR = 3.22), ethnicity (compared with African descent: white OR = 4.71; mixed-race OR = 1.87; Indian OR = 7.67), high risk alcohol use (OR = 1.83), wealth index (compared with lowest quintile: third quintile OR = 1.75; fourth quintile OR = 2.23; fifth quintile OR = 2.49), health insurance (OR = 2.19), diabetes (OR = 1.75), high cholesterol (OR = 2.51), having assessed healthcare in the past 5 years (OR = 2.42), and self-reported vision problems (OR = 1.51) were significantly associated with eye care utilization.
Conclusion
Almost three-quarters of South Africans sampled were not utilizing eye care services. It is imperative to strengthen current public health measures (including eye health promotion programs) to address the alarmingly low uptake of eye care services as well as the disparities in eye care utilization in South Africa.
Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa.
Methods
Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially.
Results
The study sampled 3320 participants, with 64.9% being females. 73.4% (95% CI [69.7–76.7]) of participants had never had an eye examination. After statistical adjustment, age groups (compared with 15–29 years: 30-44 years Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.76; 45-59 years OR = 2.13; 60-74 years OR = 2.74; ≥75 years OR = 3.22), ethnicity (compared with African descent: white OR = 4.71; mixed-race OR = 1.87; Indian OR = 7.67), high risk alcohol use (OR = 1.83), wealth index (compared with lowest quintile: third quintile OR = 1.75; fourth quintile OR = 2.23; fifth quintile OR = 2.49), health insurance (OR = 2.19), diabetes (OR = 1.75), high cholesterol (OR = 2.51), having assessed healthcare in the past 5 years (OR = 2.42), and self-reported vision problems (OR = 1.51) were significantly associated with eye care utilization.
Conclusion
Almost three-quarters of South Africans sampled were not utilizing eye care services. It is imperative to strengthen current public health measures (including eye health promotion programs) to address the alarmingly low uptake of eye care services as well as the disparities in eye care utilization in South Africa
Books by Akosua Kesewah
Job satisfaction refers to the feeling of contentment one experiences with their job. Job satisfaction among opticians is a crucial variable in determining their motivation and has consequential influence on the quality of eye health care, systems and services. Nevertheless, little has been done to assess job satisfaction levels among human resources for eye-health, such as opticians, in Ghana. This study assessed (for the first time) the job satisfaction level among opticians in Ghana, and the factors associated with their job satisfaction.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional survey involving all registered and licensed opticians working in Ghana. A validated, well-structured job satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to 195 opticians across all regions of the country. The questionnaire was composed of 15-item job satisfaction variables which were measured on a five-point Likert scale (‘1—strongly disagree’ to ‘5—strongly agree’). Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and factors of job satisfaction, and the overall job satisfaction level.
Results
A total of 101 opticians responded to the study. The mean presenting age of all participants was 25.3 ± 5.0 years (21 to 47 years), with majority being males (57.4%). The mean score of the overall job satisfaction level reported by participants was 2.65, with 12.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0–21.0%) of them being satisfied with their jobs. There was no statistically significant association between overall job satisfaction and sociodemographic characteristics (p > 0.05; for all). Only salary was significantly associated with overall level of job satisfaction (odds ratio [OR]: 16.5; 95% CI: 2.06–132.86; p = 0.008).
Conclusion
Majority of opticians working in Ghana were not satisfied with their jobs. Enhancing salary/remuneration would improve the job satisfaction level among opticians in the country. There is the need for effective management of human resources for eye-health (particularly opticians) and policy revision on ophthalmic healthcare administration in Ghana.
Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa.
Methods
Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially.
Results
The study sampled 3320 participants, with 64.9% being females. 73.4% (95% CI [69.7–76.7]) of participants had never had an eye examination. After statistical adjustment, age groups (compared with 15–29 years: 30-44 years Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.76; 45-59 years OR = 2.13; 60-74 years OR = 2.74; ≥75 years OR = 3.22), ethnicity (compared with African descent: white OR = 4.71; mixed-race OR = 1.87; Indian OR = 7.67), high risk alcohol use (OR = 1.83), wealth index (compared with lowest quintile: third quintile OR = 1.75; fourth quintile OR = 2.23; fifth quintile OR = 2.49), health insurance (OR = 2.19), diabetes (OR = 1.75), high cholesterol (OR = 2.51), having assessed healthcare in the past 5 years (OR = 2.42), and self-reported vision problems (OR = 1.51) were significantly associated with eye care utilization.
Conclusion
Almost three-quarters of South Africans sampled were not utilizing eye care services. It is imperative to strengthen current public health measures (including eye health promotion programs) to address the alarmingly low uptake of eye care services as well as the disparities in eye care utilization in South Africa.
Eye examinations are recommended for all persons throughout life. However, there is disparity in the uptake of eye care services in different populations. Using data from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study (the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, [SANHANES-1]), this paper investigates the utilization of eye care services and its associated factors in South Africa.
Methods
Participants aged 15 years and older who participated in interviews and clinical examination were enrolled in the SANHANES from 2011 to 2012. Eye care utilization was assessed from participants’ responses to whether they had their eyes examined by a medical professional and when they were last examined. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression models employing a hierarchical approach to add predisposing (e.g. age, sex), enabling (e.g. health insurance) and need (e.g. hypertension) factors sequentially.
Results
The study sampled 3320 participants, with 64.9% being females. 73.4% (95% CI [69.7–76.7]) of participants had never had an eye examination. After statistical adjustment, age groups (compared with 15–29 years: 30-44 years Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.76; 45-59 years OR = 2.13; 60-74 years OR = 2.74; ≥75 years OR = 3.22), ethnicity (compared with African descent: white OR = 4.71; mixed-race OR = 1.87; Indian OR = 7.67), high risk alcohol use (OR = 1.83), wealth index (compared with lowest quintile: third quintile OR = 1.75; fourth quintile OR = 2.23; fifth quintile OR = 2.49), health insurance (OR = 2.19), diabetes (OR = 1.75), high cholesterol (OR = 2.51), having assessed healthcare in the past 5 years (OR = 2.42), and self-reported vision problems (OR = 1.51) were significantly associated with eye care utilization.
Conclusion
Almost three-quarters of South Africans sampled were not utilizing eye care services. It is imperative to strengthen current public health measures (including eye health promotion programs) to address the alarmingly low uptake of eye care services as well as the disparities in eye care utilization in South Africa