Perceived barriers to low vision rehabilitation services among eye care practitioners in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract Background: Low vision rehabilitation services are one of the least covered subjects in ophthalmic literatures. In contrary to this, 2.2 billion people have visual impairment or blindness worldwide. Among these, 1 billion people have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or could be addressed. Objective of the study is to determine the barriers of low vision rehabilitation services in Ethiopia.Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive survey was conducted over practicing ophthalmic personnel in Ethiopia during a 2 months period (June 1 to July 30, 2020). The data was entered to Epi data manager version 4.4.1.0 and exported to SPSS version 23 for different analyses. Descriptive statistics like means, proportions and frequency tables was applied for different analysis. Chi-square test was used to test association between independent variable and dependent variables.Result: A total of 150(72.8%) out of 206 responded to the questionnaire and completed it in appropriate way. Out of 150 participants 115(76.7%) were males. Mean and standard deviation of age was 30.62±3.89 years. Among study participant’s 54(36.0%) were Ophthalmologists and subspecialists, 6(4.0%) Cataract-Surgeon, 49(32.7%) Ophthalmology-Residents and 27(18%) Optometry-Professionals. The major barriers that ophthalmic personnel face in providing low visions care includes: non-availability and expensiveness of low vision devices136 (90.67%), lack of training 117(78%), lack of awareness 49 (32.7%), lack of interest/motivation 38(25.3%) and more work load and lack of man power 34(22.67%). The perception that lack of interest/motivation is a major barrier in providing low vision rehabilitation is significantly higher [OR 3.148(1.459, 6.795)] among those who were knowledgeable than not knowledgeable about low vision services and among those trained in Ethiopia [OR 5.062(1.345, 19.050)] than abroad. Lack of training was perceived to be a major constraint for the provision of low vision rehabilitation in a greater proportion of respondents who were from institution giving low vision rehabilitation [OR 4.0125 (1.471, 10.945)] than who didn’t provide low vision rehabilitation services.Conclusion and recommendation - Non-availability of low-vision devices and expensiveness of low vision device within the country is the most common constraint for the provision of low vision rehabilitation. Majority of the participants have good awareness about low vision rehabilitation service but less knowledgeable. Training in low-vision care should be provided for eye care personnel at all levels. It is better if Ethiopian Ministry of Health give concern for ways to provide low vision devices at all government eye care services.

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