Dataset Information

Availability of refractive error correction services in selected Zambian hospitals: a cross-sectional quantitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess the availability of refractive error correction services (RECS) in selected Zambian hospitals.

Methods

Between October 2021 and March 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study design among 20 eye health service providers selected from 20 public health facilities offering RECS in 20 districts from 8 provinces of Zambia. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A questionnaire was developed based on the access to healthcare services framework and distributed via email to respondents to collect their perspectives on the availability of RECS.

Results

All 20 respondents returned the completed questionnaires. Most facilities met the Ministry of Health recommended equipment requirement, though tonometers were lacking in some facilities. Out of the 20 facilities, 75% reported having optometry technologists as the main staff offering eye health services; 10% had an ophthalmologist; no facility had an optometrist; none conducted school-based programmes and only 1 facility (5%) was able to dispense spectacles soon after refraction because it had a spectacle manufacturing workshop.

Conclusion

These findings show limited availability of RECS in the 20 health facilities. They also confirm that challenges in staffing levels, insufficient equipment and low rate of spectacle dispensing negatively affect availability of these services. Furthermore, insufficient infrastructure undermines service delivery. Addressing these challenges is cardinal to improving RECS delivery and enhancing universal eye healthcare coverage in Zambia.

SUBMITTER: Kapatamoyo E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9972430 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Availability of refractive error correction services in selected Zambian hospitals: a cross-sectional quantitative study.

Kapatamoyo Esnart E Sialubanje Cephas C Muma Kangwa I M KIM Syakantu Gardner G Minnies Deon D

BMJ open 20230224 2

<h4>Objective</h4>To assess the availability of refractive error correction services (RECS) in selected Zambian hospitals.<h4>Methods</h4>Between October 2021 and March 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study design among 20 eye health service providers selected from 20 public health facilities offering RECS in 20 districts from 8 provinces of Zambia. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A questionnaire was developed based on the access to healthcare s ...[more]

PMID: 36828649

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Dataset Information

Availability of refractive error correction services in selected Zambian hospitals: a cross-sectional quantitative study.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Availability of refractive error correction services in selected Zambian hospitals: a cross-sectional quantitative study.

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