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. 2018 Oct 24;10(1):e1-e9.
doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v10i1.1767.

Building consensus for the development of child eye care services in South Darfur State of Sudan using the Delphi technique

Saif H Alrasheed  1 , Kovin S Naidoo, Peter C Clarke-Farr, Kamal H Binnawi
Affiliations

Building consensus for the development of child eye care services in South Darfur State of Sudan using the Delphi technique

Saif H Alrasheed et al. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med. .

Abstract

Background: Global estimates suggest there are almost 19 million visually impaired children worldwide, most of whom reside in poor countries, with the major cause being treatable.

Aim: To determine the barriers to accessing childhood eye care services and to develop an eye care plan for children in South Darfur State, Sudan.

Setting: The study took place in South Darfur State, Sudan.

Methods: The classical Delphi technique was used to build consensus on a list of statements, which were generated based on the themes established by the experts, as well as on an extensive literature review.

Results: Response rates ranged from 90% in the first round (n = 18), 100% in the second round (n = 18) to 89% in the third and final round (n = 16). The total number of statements recommended by the Delphi panellists for development of the paediatric eye care plan, was 60 based on a consensus level of 80% agreement or more. The expert's consensus on the following key elements for promotion and improvement of child eye care: The main barriers to accessing child eye care were high poverty rate, unavailability of child eye services and a lack of community awareness. The challenges facing visually impaired children were an absence of paediatric ophthalmologists, low vision and orthoptic services.

Conclusion: The main barriers to accessing child eye care services were financial, clinical access and lack of knowledge. There should be greater collaboration between the Ministries of Health, Education and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to work together in addressing these barriers.

Keywords: Delphi techniques; barriers; challenge; child eye care; childhood visual impairment; orthoptic services.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

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