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Access to and Utilization of eye Care Services in Ghana

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dc.contributor.author Ilechie, Alex A
dc.contributor.author Otchere, Heinz
dc.contributor.author Darko-Takyi, Charles
dc.contributor.author Halladay, Abraham Carl
dc.date.accessioned 2023-10-24T12:31:21Z
dc.date.available 2023-10-24T12:31:21Z
dc.date.issued 2013-09
dc.identifier.issn 1596-9886
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/9965
dc.description.abstract Purpose: Available evidence suggests widespread ocular problems in Ghana, including more than 200,000 cases of blindness in a country of 20 million, which is about the highest rate in any African country. The purpose of this study was to investigate the adequacy of access to and utilization of eye care services in Ghana. Methods: A survey involving 600 consumers (aged 18 to 80 years, mean 38 years ± 13.6) recruited from a stratified random sample of food markets in the Cape Coast metropolis was carried out using questionnaire. Health status, eye care usage behavior, and socio-demographic data were collected in a structured interview of the participants. Utilization of eye care services was also measured among 10 ophthalmologists, 10 optometrists, and 10 ophthalmic nurses registered to practice in Ghana by comparing the frequency of eye examinations with professional practice guidelines. Access to eye care services was determined for the eye care providers to population ratio by geographical region. Results: Approximately 68% of the consumer sample had never received an eye examination and only 17% reported having an eye examination at least once in 3 years. The eye care provider to population ratio for ophthalmologists and optometrists was 1:377,661 and 1:324,552 respectively. Conclusion: Access to and utilization of eye care services in Ghana are grossly inadequate. Insufficient eye care personnel and massive imbalance in the distribution of eye care services in the country are the major problems. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher International Journal of Health Research en_US
dc.subject Access, en_US
dc.subject eye care services, en_US
dc.subject Optometrists, en_US
dc.subject Ophthalmologists, en_US
dc.subject Ophthalmic nurse. en_US
dc.title Access to and Utilization of eye Care Services in Ghana en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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