Assessment of resources available for integrated primary eye care in obokun local government Area, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The integration of eye care services into the primary health-care (PHC) system and the accessibility and quality of eye health in the community is hugely dependent on available resources. Objective: The aim was to assess the resources available for eye care delivery in public PHC facilities in Obokun Local Government Area (LGA), Osun State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of public PHC facilities and workers in Obokun LGA, Nigeria. A PHC facility checklist was used to obtain data on available infrastructure, material resources, primary eye care (PEC) services, and human resources during a tour and inspection of each facility. Further data on human resources were obtained with a semi-structured questionnaire administered to PHC workers. Data included information on the age, sex, cadre, duration of service, PEC practices, and training of PHC workers. Results: There were 4 (10.0%) primary health (PH) centres, 19 (47.5%) PH clinics and 17 (42.5%) health posts. The number and distribution of PHC facilities, material resources, and PEC services were below-recommended guidelines. There were 12 (11.2%) nurses, 4 (3.7%) community health officers, 19 (17.8%) community health extension workers (CHEWs), 7 (6.5%) health technicians, 8 (7.5%) junior CHEWs, and 57 (53.3%) health assistants. There was a sufficient number of PHC workers and community services to build capacity for PEC delivery. Conclusions: Resources were available for PEC in Obokun LGA; however, some were insufficient or unevenly distributed. Further training of PHC workers in PEC and the provision of the minimum required infrastructure and material resources are recommended.