Barriers to up take cataract surgery in Gandaki Zone, Nepal

Abstract

Objective: Cataract though avoidable remains as leading cause of blindness in Nepal. Though, Himalaya Eye Hospital rendering high quality surgical service through its base hospital and out reach service in Gandaki Zone having cataract surgical rate is below 1500 per million. Therefore, it is mater of interest to investigate the reason and the finding would be helpful to plan the future cataract programme to CSR to desirable level, if we know the reason(s) that forced them living as blind in community and not seeking available surgical services.

Method: All person with cataract affecting their visual acuity to <6/60 (corrected) in either eye found in stratified cluster design sampling were enrolled in the study. They were interviewed with structured questionnaire investigating their knowledge and attitude of their visual impairment and barriers for not seeking cataract surgical service to date.

Results: A total of 303 eligible subjects were enrolled in the study. Out of them 57.8% of people knew about the cataract and they also think their vision impairment is due to cataract. But 56.11% of people were not aware their vision will improve. Surgical camp attendant or operated patients were found to be effective media to spread the message that the cataract is curable. Among the barriers: fear for surgery 31.1%, lack of attendant and geographical distance 32.8%, financial 24.1% and other clinical reason were found to be 12% as a reason for not seeking available surgical service.

Conclusion: The cataract service marketing, eye health education disseminating the information on cataract and its curability is not found to be adequate. Therefore, the future cataract programme should give more concentration on creating awareness on cataract and subsidizing the available surgical service and service need to be brought to more proximity for the needy poor people.