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. 2014 Aug 28;9(8):e104128.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104128. eCollection 2014.

Ocular morbidity and health seeking behaviour in Kwara state, Nigeria: implications for delivery of eye care services

Laura Senyonjo  1 , Robert Lindfield  2 , Abdulraheem Mahmoud  3 , Kahaki Kimani  4 , Safiya Sanda  5 , Elena Schmidt  1
Affiliations

Ocular morbidity and health seeking behaviour in Kwara state, Nigeria: implications for delivery of eye care services

Laura Senyonjo et al. PLoS One. .

Erratum in

  • PLoS One. 2014;9(10):e112860

Abstract

Background: There is currently limited information as to which conditions are most prevalent in communities in developing countries. This makes effective planning of eye services difficult.

Methods: 3,899 eligible individuals were recruited and examined in a cross-sectional survey in Asa Local Government Area, Nigeria. Those who self-reported an ocular morbidity were also asked about their health-seeking behaviour. Health records of local facilities were reviewed to collect information on those presenting with ocular morbidities.

Results: 25.2% (95% CI: 22.0-28.6) had an ocular morbidity in at least one eye. Leading causes were presbyopia and conditions affecting the lens and conjunctiva. The odds of having an ocular morbidity increased with age and lower educational attainment. 10.1% (7.7-13.0) self-reported ocular morbidity; 48.6% (40.4-56.8) of them reported seeking treatment. At the facility level, 344 patients presented with an ocular morbidity over one month, the most common conditions were red (26.3%) or itchy (20.8%) eyes.

Conclusion: Ocular morbidities, including many non vision impairing conditions, were prevalent with a quarter of the population affected. The delivery of eye care services needs to be tailored in order to address this need and ensure delivery in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: This study was funded by Sightsavers. LS, SS and ES are full time employees of Sightsavers. Rl, KK and AM have received salary contributions from Sightsavers for this, and other, work. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

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