Barriers to Free Cataract Surgery in Yaoundé
Kagmeni Giles *
Eye Department of the University Teaching Hospital Yaounde (UTHY), Cameroon and University of Yaoundé I, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cameroon
Domngang Noche Christelle
Eye Department of the Mountains University Banganté, Cameroon
Noa Noatina Blaise
National Blindness Program, Ministry of Heath, Yaoundé, Cameroon
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Purpose: To identifying barriers to massive turnout for free cataract surgery campaigns in Yaoundé
Methods: We prospectively interviewed 68 patients who radically refused free cataract surgery at the University Teaching hospital (UTH) Yaoundé between January 2008 and December 2010. The questionnaire aimed at addressing: the knowledge of the cataract and its surgical treatment, the awareness of government’s subvention for free cataract operation, the reasons for refusal. Patient demographic data were also analyzed.
Results: A total of 68 patients (41 males and 27 females), mean age was 57.20 ± 11 years were enrolled in this study. Forty three patients (63.23%) were civil servants with fixed salaries, 25 (36.77%) were workers in the informal sector. 80% of the participants had a good knowledge of cataract and its surgical treatment. 58,82 % of the patients were aware of the ongoing government subsidized campaign. Refusal reasons included: fear 38 (55.88%), awaiting of foreign NGO campaign 20 (29.42%), religious convictions 6(8.82%) wish for surgery abroad 4 (5.58%)
Conclusion: Fear and awaiting for foreign NGO surgery campaign were the main barriers for free cataract surgery in Yaoundé. Therefore, sporadic free cataract campaigns organized by foreign NGO appear to become a new barrier to cataract surgery.
Keywords: Free cataract surgery, barriers