Why Do People Not Attend for Treatment for Trachomatous Trichiasis in Ethiopia? A Study of Barriers to Surgery

Saul N Rajak, Esmael Habtamu, Helen A Weiss, Amir Bedri, Mulat Zerihun, Teshome Gebre, Clare E Gilbert, Paul M Emerson and Matthew J Burton

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2012, vol. 6, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: Background: Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) surgery is provided free or subsidised in most trachoma endemic settings. However, only 18–66% of TT patients attend for surgery. This study analyses barriers to attendance among TT patients in Ethiopia, the country with the highest prevalence of TT in the world. Methodology/Principal Findings: Participants with previously un-operated TT were recruited at 17 surgical outreach campaigns in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. An interview was conducted to ascertain why they had not attended for surgery previously. A trachoma eye examination was performed by an ophthalmologist. 2591 consecutive individuals were interviewed. The most frequently cited barriers to previous attendance for surgery were lack of time (45.3%), financial constraints (42.9%) and lack of an escort (35.5% in females, 19.6% in males). Women were more likely to report a fear of surgery (7.7% vs 3.2%, p

Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pntd00:0001766

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001766

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