Barriers to utilization of an eye care facility in a rural community in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to describe the barriers to the utilization of eye care services in a rural community in South-South Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study using a multistage sampling technique was conducted. The main outcome measure was self-reported previous consultation of the eye clinic at the community’s Comprehensive Health Centre (CHC) for eye care. The study sample included 200 participants. Only 40 (24.1%) respondents had previously consulted at the eye clinic at the CHC in search of eye care. The principal barriers to eye care services utilization were “Ignorance of the existence 53 (47.3%) and schedule” 37 (33.0%) of the eye clinic at the CHC, and “No felt need” 26 (23.2%). Despite the high prevalence of ocular disorders among the study participants, the utilization of available eye care services was markedly low. The common barriers cited were “Ignorance of the existence and schedule of the eye facility in the community. Improved strategies to improve uptake of services is required.”