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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Evidence for integrating eye health into primary health care in Africa: A health systems strengthening approach
BMC Health Services Research, Volume 13, No. 1, Article 102, Year 2013
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Description
Background: The impact of unmet eye care needs in sub-Saharan Africa is compounded by barriers to accessing eye care, limited engagement with communities, a shortage of appropriately skilled health personnel, and inadequate support from health systems. The renewed focus on primary health care has led to support for greater integration of eye health into national health systems. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate available evidence of integration of eye health into primary health care in sub-Saharan Africa from a health systems strengthening perspective. Methods. A scoping review method was used to gather and assess information from published literature, reviews, WHO policy documents and examples of eye and health care interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. Findings were compiled using a health systems strengthening framework. Results: Limited information is available about eye health from a health systems strengthening approach. Particular components of the health systems framework lacking evidence are service delivery, equipment and supplies, financing, leadership and governance. There is some information to support interventions to strengthen human resources at all levels, partnerships and community participation; but little evidence showing their successful application to improve quality of care and access to comprehensive eye health services at the primary health level, and referral to other levels for specialist eye care. Conclusion: Evidence of integration of eye health into primary health care is currently weak, particularly when applying a health systems framework. A realignment of eye health in the primary health care agenda will require context specific planning and a holistic approach, with careful attention to each of the health system components and to the public health system as a whole. Documentation and evaluation of existing projects are required, as are pilot projects of systematic approaches to interventions and application of best practices. Multi-national research may provide guidance about how to scale up eye health interventions that are integrated into primary health systems. © 2013 du Toit et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Available Materials
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3616885/bin/1472-6963-13-102-S1.docx
Authors & Co-Authors
Du Toit, R.
South Africa
Eye Health Consultant
Faal, Hannah Bassey
Nigeria, Calabar
Eye Health and Health Systems Consultant
Etya'alé, Daniel E.
United Kingdom, London
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
Wiafe, Boateng
Ghana, Accra
Msc (community Eye Health)
Mason, I.
Kenya, Nairobi
Rgn/krn
Graham, Ronnie
United Kingdom, Chippenham
Sightsavers, United Kingdom
Bush, Simon R.
United Kingdom, Chippenham
Sightsavers, United Kingdom
Mathenge, Wanjiku Ciku
Rwanda, Kigali
Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology
Australia, Sydney
Fred Hollows Foundation, Australia
Courtright, Paul D.
South Africa, Cape Town
Kcco International
Statistics
Citations: 73
Authors: 9
Affiliations: 9
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1472-6963-13-102
e-ISSN:
14726963
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Study Approach
Systematic review