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Increased Utilization of Eye Care Services

Increased Utilization of Eye Care Services The role of Female Community Health Volunteers and women ’ s groups in Chitwan District, Nepal Ram Prasad Kandel, MPH Ken Bassett, MD. Seva Project Areas. 5 Eye Hospitals 12 Primary Eye Care Centers. Why is gender a concern?.

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Increased Utilization of Eye Care Services

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  1. Increased Utilization of Eye Care Services The role of Female Community Health Volunteers and women’s groups in Chitwan District, Nepal Ram Prasad Kandel, MPH Ken Bassett, MD

  2. Seva Project Areas 5 Eye Hospitals 12 Primary Eye Care Centers

  3. Why is gender a concern? • Studies in Nepal show that 2/3 of blindness is among women • Utilization of pediatric eye care services among girls is very poor. • 65% of surgeries are boys compared to 35% girls • There are several barriers to accessing eye care services by women and girls (culture, economic, family, and education)

  4. Major Causes of Blindness inChitwan District Population > 50 years 90% live in rural areas 80% preventable/avoidable • 51% Cataract • 31% Refractive Error • 4 % Corneal Opacity • 4% Retinal disease • 3% Glaucoma • 3% PCO • 1% Amblyopia Source: 2006 Lumbini Survey

  5. Trained Eye Care Providers ZONE Ophthalmologist DISTRICT Ophthalmic Assistant VILLAGE Health Personnel & School Teachers trained in Primary Eye Care Female Community Health Volunteers, Drug Retailers & Traditional Healers trained in Primary Eye Care COMMUNITY

  6. FCHVs are government trained to deliver general health care at the community level In each Village Development Committee (5000 people) there are at least 9 FCHVs, each responsible for about 500 people Every year, 5-7 days refresher trainings are provided to FCHVs by the government Female Community Health Volunteers

  7. Health promotion and education Assist with family planning, distribute contraceptives Assist with immunization, vitamin A distribution Promote sanitation programs Act as a bridge between community and health facilities Role of FCHVs

  8. To increase utilization of available services To increase equity for women and girls To integrate eye care into health care at the community level Why Involve FCHVs in Eye Care?

  9. Findings of Nepal Surveys

  10. New Study: FCHVs vs. Trained Microfinance Women’s Groups • 2 Districts (8000 each) intervention, 2 control • 18 microfinance women’s groups selected in each intervention District • FCHV program continues in the 2 controls • Eye care training and health system education provided to two representatives from each microfinance group (72 women trained) • Routine Diagnostic Screening and Treatment Eye Camps conducted in all four Districts • Microfinance groups provided with referral tracking slips to give to community members identified as needing eye care services • Outcome: utilization of services by control/intervention VDC, age, sex and eye condition

  11. hoto Thank you

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