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Challenges of Access to Ocular Healthcare Services in Owerri West LGA, Imo State, Nigeria

Nnagha Emeka Joseph

Visual impairment and blindness due to ocular diseases are significant public health problems in developing countries including Nigeria. Evidence suggests that lack of access to eye care services is a major barrier to attaining universal use of eye care services. This study was carried out was to identify the challenges of access to ocular healthcare in Owerri West LGA, Imo state, Nigeria via availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability. A total of 188 subjects which comprised of 94 males and 94 females were used for this study. This study was carried out in 4 communities within Owerri West, namely; Umuchima, Eziobodo, Ihiagwa and Obinze with the aid of a questionnaire comprising of the demographic data, ocular health history and other specific related questions assessing availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability of eye care services for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Statistical results showed the mean values for each section to be 4.75 ± 2.22 for availability, -0.02 ± 0.11 for accessibility, 2.88 ± 2.28 for affordability, 3.34 ± 2.15 for acceptability. SPSS statistical analysis version 23 output using paired sample T-test at level of significance also revealed P (0.001)<0.05 for availability, P (0.704) >0.05 for accessibility, P (0.027)<0.05 for affordability and P (0.003)<0.05 for acceptability. Therefore eye care services are easily available, easily affordable and easily accepted in Owerri West but they are not easily accessible. The barriers identified that was responsible for the lack of access were limited numbers of eye care facilities, bad roads, delay in receiving treatment, lack of insurance services and poor awareness. In conclusion, by limiting access to eye care services, the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness is increased.