Background: Private healthcare in South Africa is largely financed by medical schemes. Optometrists reluctantly contract with administrators and networks to service these patients, despite them feeling networks are undesirable and exploitative. Networks contend that various mechanisms employed are necessary to ensure sustainability and prevent fraud, wastage and abuse. A working relationship between practitioners and networks should ideally be cordial and appreciated by each party as being mutually beneficial to the success of their respective businesses.Aim: To assess practitioners’ knowledge and perceptions regarding optometric networks.Setting: The study was conducted amongst optometric professionals in the private sector in South Africa.Methods: A descriptive, mixed-method study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews with senior personnel from the networks were conducted.Results: Approximately 77% of respondents belonged to networks with 91% being knowledgeable about networks and their role within optometry. Opticlear had 72% members, while Iso Leso and preferred provider negotiators (PPN) had 67% and 41%, respectively. Most optometrists (69%) neither believed in the need for networks nor that they provide value to the profession, while 94.7% joined networks merely to receive direct payment and access patients, with no other benefits noted.Conclusion: Practitioners reluctantly contract to networks for direct payment and to access patients. Furthermore, practitioners feel that networks bully and victimise them while networks highlight their responsibility to reduce healthcare costs and negative practices of fraud, waste and abuse.Contribution: Providing sustainable, cost-effective and quality eye care services requires collaboration between networks and practitioners and appreciating each other’s roles in the delivery of eye care services.
{"title":"Practitioner perceptions about optometric networks in South Africa","authors":"Simon A. Maluleke, V. Moodley","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v82i1.810","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.810","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Private healthcare in South Africa is largely financed by medical schemes. Optometrists reluctantly contract with administrators and networks to service these patients, despite them feeling networks are undesirable and exploitative. Networks contend that various mechanisms employed are necessary to ensure sustainability and prevent fraud, wastage and abuse. A working relationship between practitioners and networks should ideally be cordial and appreciated by each party as being mutually beneficial to the success of their respective businesses.Aim: To assess practitioners’ knowledge and perceptions regarding optometric networks.Setting: The study was conducted amongst optometric professionals in the private sector in South Africa.Methods: A descriptive, mixed-method study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews with senior personnel from the networks were conducted.Results: Approximately 77% of respondents belonged to networks with 91% being knowledgeable about networks and their role within optometry. Opticlear had 72% members, while Iso Leso and preferred provider negotiators (PPN) had 67% and 41%, respectively. Most optometrists (69%) neither believed in the need for networks nor that they provide value to the profession, while 94.7% joined networks merely to receive direct payment and access patients, with no other benefits noted.Conclusion: Practitioners reluctantly contract to networks for direct payment and to access patients. Furthermore, practitioners feel that networks bully and victimise them while networks highlight their responsibility to reduce healthcare costs and negative practices of fraud, waste and abuse.Contribution: Providing sustainable, cost-effective and quality eye care services requires collaboration between networks and practitioners and appreciating each other’s roles in the delivery of eye care services. ","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90989650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
difference of 7.59 ± 6.08 D ( p < 0.001) between the better and the worse eye. The study found no significant difference in KC severity by age ( p = 0.451 ) and gender ( p = 0.819 ). Patients fitted with scleral lenses had the highest VA improvement of 0.44 ± 0.17. Conclusion: Most patients presented with bilateral and severe KC. Scleral lenses provided higher VA improvement than other methods. Contribution: The study aimed to present the clinical profile and management of keratoconic patients attending public sector facilities. Knowledge of the patterns of KC presentation may assist in the development of intervention strategies and guidelines for best practice in the management of KC, especially in public sector facilities.
好眼与差眼的差异为7.59±6.08 D (p < 0.001)。研究发现，年龄(p = 0.451)和性别(p = 0.819)在KC严重程度上无显著差异。配戴巩膜晶状体的患者视力改善幅度最大，为0.44±0.17。结论:大多数患者表现为双侧和重度KC，巩膜晶状体比其他方法有更好的VA改善效果。贡献:本研究旨在介绍在公立机构就诊的角膜成形患者的临床概况和管理。了解KC的表现模式可能有助于制定干预策略和指导方针，以最佳地管理KC，特别是在公共部门设施中。
{"title":"Keratoconic patient profile and management at public sector facilities in South Africa","authors":"Pheagane M. Nkoana, V. Moodley, K. Mashige","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v82i1.780","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.780","url":null,"abstract":"difference of 7.59 ± 6.08 D ( p < 0.001) between the better and the worse eye. The study found no significant difference in KC severity by age ( p = 0.451 ) and gender ( p = 0.819 ). Patients fitted with scleral lenses had the highest VA improvement of 0.44 ± 0.17. Conclusion: Most patients presented with bilateral and severe KC. Scleral lenses provided higher VA improvement than other methods. Contribution: The study aimed to present the clinical profile and management of keratoconic patients attending public sector facilities. Knowledge of the patterns of KC presentation may assist in the development of intervention strategies and guidelines for best practice in the management of KC, especially in public sector facilities.","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73271965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rayishnee Pillay, R. Hansraj, N. Rampersad, A. Bissessur
. Contribution: This study provides new information on the environmental consequences of current modes of lens disposal and suggests EOL alternatives thereof.
． 贡献:本研究提供了当前透镜处理方式对环境影响的新信息，并提出了EOL替代方案。
{"title":"Environmental impact and end-of-life options of disposed polymeric spectacle and contact lenses","authors":"Rayishnee Pillay, R. Hansraj, N. Rampersad, A. Bissessur","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v82i1.775","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.775","url":null,"abstract":". Contribution: This study provides new information on the environmental consequences of current modes of lens disposal and suggests EOL alternatives thereof.","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79090543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) contributes 1% of the total 37 million blind individuals globally. In Oman, 12.3% of the community aged 18 years and older are affected by diabetes mellitus. Health literacy is essential in advancing an individual’s disease-linked knowledge, attitudes and treatment compliance. Effective educational resources would earn positive health outcomes.Aim: This study evaluates the Omani community’s perception of educational resources related to DR.Setting: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study.Methods: A self-administered, online questionnaire received responses from 253 participants using a convenient snowball sampling approach. The initial section of the questionnaire gathered information on participant’s demographic information. The second section collected the feedback on the perception of the availed DR material utilising a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive and inferential (chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression analysis) statistics were used to analyse the data.Results: Of the total 253 study participants, 51 (20.2%) were male and 202 (79.8%) were female. Only 155 (61.3%) participants received DR-related health information. Optometrists (30.3%) served as the primary source of information. There was no relationship between perception and socio-economic or educational levels (p 0.05). Of the 155 participants receiving DR-related health information, 47.7% (n = 74) of the survey population is highly satisfied with the received DR-related health promotional resource.Conclusion: Only 61.3% of the members received DR-related health information. Most participants had a positive perception of DR-related health educational resources.Contribution: This study observed positive participant’s perception towards diabetic retinopathy related health educational resources. The study proposes to conduct further health promotional activities using social media platforms.
{"title":"Perceptions of diabetic retinopathy-related educational resources in a community in Oman","authors":"Gopi S. Vankudre, Sheikha Al Saadi","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v82i1.767","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.767","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) contributes 1% of the total 37 million blind individuals globally. In Oman, 12.3% of the community aged 18 years and older are affected by diabetes mellitus. Health literacy is essential in advancing an individual’s disease-linked knowledge, attitudes and treatment compliance. Effective educational resources would earn positive health outcomes.Aim: This study evaluates the Omani community’s perception of educational resources related to DR.Setting: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study.Methods: A self-administered, online questionnaire received responses from 253 participants using a convenient snowball sampling approach. The initial section of the questionnaire gathered information on participant’s demographic information. The second section collected the feedback on the perception of the availed DR material utilising a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive and inferential (chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression analysis) statistics were used to analyse the data.Results: Of the total 253 study participants, 51 (20.2%) were male and 202 (79.8%) were female. Only 155 (61.3%) participants received DR-related health information. Optometrists (30.3%) served as the primary source of information. There was no relationship between perception and socio-economic or educational levels (p 0.05). Of the 155 participants receiving DR-related health information, 47.7% (n = 74) of the survey population is highly satisfied with the received DR-related health promotional resource.Conclusion: Only 61.3% of the members received DR-related health information. Most participants had a positive perception of DR-related health educational resources.Contribution: This study observed positive participant’s perception towards diabetic retinopathy related health educational resources. The study proposes to conduct further health promotional activities using social media platforms.","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135992290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
practices in South Africa, and emphasises the need for environmental awareness.
并强调了提高环境意识的必要性。
{"title":"Disposal of spectacles and contact lenses: Optometrist and lens wearer perspectives","authors":"Rayishnee Pillay, R. Hansraj, N. Rampersad","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v82i1.784","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.784","url":null,"abstract":"practices in South Africa, and emphasises the need for environmental awareness.","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91323500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
of the efficacy with which healthcare services are covered. 8 There is a significant gap in the quality of care (between the services required by patients and those supplied by healthcare facilities and workers). Background: Vision impairment (VI) affects people worldwide, and demographic factors like age are significantly linked to VI. Routine eye exams and other eye care treatments can detect and prevent common eye illnesses. However, many lack access to these services. Aim: This study’s major objective was to analyse the distribution and funding of eye care services by medical schemes in South Africa. Setting: The study was conducted in the private sector in South Africa for benefits paid by medical schemes to optometrists, ophthalmologists and orthoptists. Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal study of eye care services claim data from the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) annual reports. The review period was 2020, and scheme-level data were gathered and analysed at the aggregated rather than benefit option level. Results: In 2020, eye care benefits comprised 3.1 % of total benefits paid; this proportion remained at the same levels throughout the review period. Closed schemes spent more per beneficiary per year than open schemes for optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmologists. Self-administered schemes had 11 % copayment for ophthalmology services, whereas outsourced schemes had less than 10 % . Conclusion: Optometrists had higher copayments than ophthalmologists and orthoptists. Medical schemes with capitated models had a lower average expenditure than other types of models, and the operating model affected expenditure; self-administered schemes spent less on optometry benefits when adjusted for beneficiaries. The study suggests reviewing eye care benefit funding models (risk vs savings), administration activities and managed care models for cost savings and health quality. Contribution: This research contributes to the discussion and implementation of universal health insurance coverage through national health insurance in South Africa. The research shows that there are not enough eye care services in the public sector and that there are different funding gaps in the private sector.
{"title":"Eye care services and benefits paid by medical schemes in South Africa","authors":"Michael M. Willie","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v82i1.756","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.756","url":null,"abstract":"of the efficacy with which healthcare services are covered. 8 There is a significant gap in the quality of care (between the services required by patients and those supplied by healthcare facilities and workers). Background: Vision impairment (VI) affects people worldwide, and demographic factors like age are significantly linked to VI. Routine eye exams and other eye care treatments can detect and prevent common eye illnesses. However, many lack access to these services. Aim: This study’s major objective was to analyse the distribution and funding of eye care services by medical schemes in South Africa. Setting: The study was conducted in the private sector in South Africa for benefits paid by medical schemes to optometrists, ophthalmologists and orthoptists. Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal study of eye care services claim data from the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) annual reports. The review period was 2020, and scheme-level data were gathered and analysed at the aggregated rather than benefit option level. Results: In 2020, eye care benefits comprised 3.1 % of total benefits paid; this proportion remained at the same levels throughout the review period. Closed schemes spent more per beneficiary per year than open schemes for optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmologists. Self-administered schemes had 11 % copayment for ophthalmology services, whereas outsourced schemes had less than 10 % . Conclusion: Optometrists had higher copayments than ophthalmologists and orthoptists. Medical schemes with capitated models had a lower average expenditure than other types of models, and the operating model affected expenditure; self-administered schemes spent less on optometry benefits when adjusted for beneficiaries. The study suggests reviewing eye care benefit funding models (risk vs savings), administration activities and managed care models for cost savings and health quality. Contribution: This research contributes to the discussion and implementation of universal health insurance coverage through national health insurance in South Africa. The research shows that there are not enough eye care services in the public sector and that there are different funding gaps in the private sector.","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74073845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
light of global climate change. 7 Some optical companies have implemented recycling programmes for spectacle lenses and contact lenses in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and European Union 8,9,10,11 ; however, to date no such recycling schemes exist in South Africa (SA). Spectacle frame degradation has been previously explored 3 ; hence, the purpose of this review article is to present the current outlook, barriers experienced and potential measures that could be adopted to encourage the recycling of plastic spectacle lenses and contact lenses in SA.
{"title":"Spectacle lens and contact lens recycling in South Africa","authors":"Rayishnee Pillay, R. Hansraj, N. Rampersad","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v82i1.777","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.777","url":null,"abstract":"light of global climate change. 7 Some optical companies have implemented recycling programmes for spectacle lenses and contact lenses in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and European Union 8,9,10,11 ; however, to date no such recycling schemes exist in South Africa (SA). Spectacle frame degradation has been previously explored 3 ; hence, the purpose of this review article is to present the current outlook, barriers experienced and potential measures that could be adopted to encourage the recycling of plastic spectacle lenses and contact lenses in SA.","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75451341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Tractional retinal detachment surgery outcomes are unpredictable and need to be reviewed regularly in clinical practice settings.Aim: To describe the visual acuity and anatomical outcomes of retinal detachment surgery for diabetic tractional retinal detachment at a central academic hospital.Setting: Johannesburg, South Africa.Methods: This study involves a retrospective case series of patients who had surgery for diabetic tractional retinal detachment at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2014.Results: A total of 65 patients with diabetic retinal detachment were included in this study. The study consisted of 63% (n = 41) male patients and 37% (n = 24) female patients. The mean age (± standard deviation) was 54 ± 12.2 years. Forty-four patients (68%) had tractional retinal detachment, and 21 (32%) patients had a combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Twenty-one (32%) patients had detachments associated with vitreous haemorrhage (VH), and 39 (60%) patients had macular-involving detachments. Forty-six (71%) patients obtained vision improvement or stabilisation and reattachment of the retina, 24 (36.9%) patients had visual acuity improvement, 22 (33.9%) patients retained the same visual acuity and 19 (29.2%) patients lost vision. Fifty-five (85%) patients had successful anatomical reattachment of the retina, and 10 (15%) patients had re-detachments after surgery.Conclusion: The majority of patients whose files were reviewed benefited from surgical intervention for diabetic tractional retinal detachment in terms of stabilisation or improvement of vision.Contribution: Tractional detachment surgery outcomes in our setting are comparable to those from elsewhere around the world.
{"title":"Diabetic retinal detachment surgery at a central academic hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa","authors":"Mathabo Mofokeng, Mokokomadi A. Makgotloe","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v82i1.761","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.761","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Tractional retinal detachment surgery outcomes are unpredictable and need to be reviewed regularly in clinical practice settings.Aim: To describe the visual acuity and anatomical outcomes of retinal detachment surgery for diabetic tractional retinal detachment at a central academic hospital.Setting: Johannesburg, South Africa.Methods: This study involves a retrospective case series of patients who had surgery for diabetic tractional retinal detachment at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2014.Results: A total of 65 patients with diabetic retinal detachment were included in this study. The study consisted of 63% (n = 41) male patients and 37% (n = 24) female patients. The mean age (± standard deviation) was 54 ± 12.2 years. Forty-four patients (68%) had tractional retinal detachment, and 21 (32%) patients had a combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Twenty-one (32%) patients had detachments associated with vitreous haemorrhage (VH), and 39 (60%) patients had macular-involving detachments. Forty-six (71%) patients obtained vision improvement or stabilisation and reattachment of the retina, 24 (36.9%) patients had visual acuity improvement, 22 (33.9%) patients retained the same visual acuity and 19 (29.2%) patients lost vision. Fifty-five (85%) patients had successful anatomical reattachment of the retina, and 10 (15%) patients had re-detachments after surgery.Conclusion: The majority of patients whose files were reviewed benefited from surgical intervention for diabetic tractional retinal detachment in terms of stabilisation or improvement of vision.Contribution: Tractional detachment surgery outcomes in our setting are comparable to those from elsewhere around the world.","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77718873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dear editor, We had not yet recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its consequences, which have affected all aspects of life, whether health or economic, before a new epidemic appeared in some countries called the monkeypox virus. The first human monkeypox case was reported in 1971 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 1 West and Central Africa are considered endemic areas for the monkeypox virus. 2 On 07 May 2022, a monkeypox outbreak was reported in nonendemic areas such as Europe, the Americas and Australia. 3 Appearance of this outbreak in those countries may be because of the stoppage of smallpox vaccination, the migration of people from endemic areas to those countries or increased contact between people and monkeys after their migration into the forest. 4 Monkeypox is transmitted from animal to human through bites or scratches. 5 It then spreads from human to human through salivary or respiratory droplets or direct contact with the exudate of the skin lesion. 6 We suggest that monkeypox can spread to the eye through direct contact between the eyes and the infected hands or the respiratory droplets of the patients. [...]topical steroids must not be used, as they help virus persistence and increase corneal complications. 5 As shown in Figure 1 , our message to ophthalmologists is that if any patient presents with conjunctivitis and skin rash, examine the patient for other monkeypox manifestations.
{"title":"Ocular monkeypox virus infection – To worry or to not worry?","authors":"A. Elgazzar, W. Abdella, Ehab Tharwat","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v82i1.786","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v82i1.786","url":null,"abstract":"Dear editor, We had not yet recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its consequences, which have affected all aspects of life, whether health or economic, before a new epidemic appeared in some countries called the monkeypox virus. The first human monkeypox case was reported in 1971 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 1 West and Central Africa are considered endemic areas for the monkeypox virus. 2 On 07 May 2022, a monkeypox outbreak was reported in nonendemic areas such as Europe, the Americas and Australia. 3 Appearance of this outbreak in those countries may be because of the stoppage of smallpox vaccination, the migration of people from endemic areas to those countries or increased contact between people and monkeys after their migration into the forest. 4 Monkeypox is transmitted from animal to human through bites or scratches. 5 It then spreads from human to human through salivary or respiratory droplets or direct contact with the exudate of the skin lesion. 6 We suggest that monkeypox can spread to the eye through direct contact between the eyes and the infected hands or the respiratory droplets of the patients. [...]topical steroids must not be used, as they help virus persistence and increase corneal complications. 5 As shown in Figure 1 , our message to ophthalmologists is that if any patient presents with conjunctivitis and skin rash, examine the patient for other monkeypox manifestations.","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90335034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) contributes 1% of the total 37 million blind individuals globally. In Oman, 12.3% of the community aged 18 years and older are affected by diabetes mellitus. Health literacy is essential in advancing an individual’s disease-linked knowledge, attitudes and treatment compliance. Effective educational resources would earn positive health outcomes.Aim: This study evaluates the Omani community’s perception of educational resources related to DR.Setting: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study.Methods: A self-administered, online questionnaire received responses from 253 participants using a convenient snowball sampling approach. The initial section of the questionnaire gathered information on participant’s demographic information. The second section collected the feedback on the perception of the availed DR material utilising a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive and inferential (chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression analysis) statistics were used to analyse the data.Results: Of the total 253 study participants, 51 (20.2%) were male and 202 (79.8%) were female. Only 155 (61.3%) participants received DR-related health information. Optometrists (30.3%) served as the primary source of information. There was no relationship between perception and socio-economic or educational levels (p 0.05). Of the 155 participants receiving DR-related health information, 47.7% (n = 74) of the survey population is highly satisfied with the received DR-related health promotional resource.Conclusion: Only 61.3% of the members received DR-related health information. Most participants had a positive perception of DR-related health educational resources.Contribution: This study observed positive participant’s perception towards diabetic retinopathy related health educational resources. The study proposes to conduct further health promotional activities using social media platforms.
{"title":"Perceptions of diabetic retinopathy-related educational resources in a community in Oman","authors":"Gopi S. Vankudre, Sheikha Al Saadi","doi":"10.4102/aveh.v81i1.767","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v81i1.767","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) contributes 1% of the total 37 million blind individuals globally. In Oman, 12.3% of the community aged 18 years and older are affected by diabetes mellitus. Health literacy is essential in advancing an individual’s disease-linked knowledge, attitudes and treatment compliance. Effective educational resources would earn positive health outcomes.Aim: This study evaluates the Omani community’s perception of educational resources related to DR.Setting: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study.Methods: A self-administered, online questionnaire received responses from 253 participants using a convenient snowball sampling approach. The initial section of the questionnaire gathered information on participant’s demographic information. The second section collected the feedback on the perception of the availed DR material utilising a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive and inferential (chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression analysis) statistics were used to analyse the data.Results: Of the total 253 study participants, 51 (20.2%) were male and 202 (79.8%) were female. Only 155 (61.3%) participants received DR-related health information. Optometrists (30.3%) served as the primary source of information. There was no relationship between perception and socio-economic or educational levels (p 0.05). Of the 155 participants receiving DR-related health information, 47.7% (n = 74) of the survey population is highly satisfied with the received DR-related health promotional resource.Conclusion: Only 61.3% of the members received DR-related health information. Most participants had a positive perception of DR-related health educational resources.Contribution: This study observed positive participant’s perception towards diabetic retinopathy related health educational resources. The study proposes to conduct further health promotional activities using social media platforms.","PeriodicalId":7694,"journal":{"name":"African Vision and Eye Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85126712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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