Reasons for non-utilisation of eye care services among adults in a rural West African population.

Abstract

Background: To describe the reasons for non-utilization of eye care services among adults aged 40 years and above in a rural population of West Africa. Methods: During a population-based cross-sectional survey, an interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on respondents' demographic characteristics, personal medical history, previous use of eye care services, ocular symptoms and reasons for not utilising eye care services. Results: A total of 643 participants were studied. Majority of the respondents (547; 85.1%) had a history of ocular symptoms, either in the past or at the time of the study. One hundred and twenty-two respondents (19.0%) had previously consulted orthodox facilities to seek eye care; and 23.9% of the respondents with presenting visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the better eye had previously sought eye care. Reasons given by the respondents with ocular symptoms for not seeking eye care included a perception that the problem was not important in 188 (44.2%) respondents and financial constraints in 139 (32.7%) respondents. Barriers encountered by respondents who had sought eye care include financial constraints in 30 (24.6%) respondents, long distance in 21 (17.2%) and strikes by hospital workers in 3 (2.5%) respondents. Conclusion: A significant proportion of people in need of eye care services in this rural adult population are not utilising or seeking eye care services. Reasons given for non-utilisation include the perception that the eye problem was not important, financial constraints, ageism, fear and not knowing where to go for help. Barriers encountered were long distance, long waiting time, repeated appointments, strikes by hospital staff and poor service delivery.