Why do people not attend for treatment for trachomatous trichiasis in Ethiopia? A study of barriers to surgery.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) surgery is provided free or subsidised in most trachoma endemic settings. However, only 18-66% of TT patients attend for surgery. This study analyses barriers to attendance among TT patients in Ethiopia, the country with the highest prevalence of TT in the world.

Methodology/principal findings

Participants with previously un-operated TT were recruited at 17 surgical outreach campaigns in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. An interview was conducted to ascertain why they had not attended for surgery previously. A trachoma eye examination was performed by an ophthalmologist. 2591 consecutive individuals were interviewed. The most frequently cited barriers to previous attendance for surgery were lack of time (45.3%), financial constraints (42.9%) a

SUBMITTER: Rajak SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3429389 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature