Estimating Need for Glasses and Hearing Aids in The Gambia: Results from a National Survey and Comparison of Clinical Impairment and Self-Report Assessment Approaches

Dorothy Boggs, Abba Hydara, Yaka Faal, John Atta Okoh, Segun Isaac Olaniyan, Haruna Sanneh, Abdoulie Ngett, Isatou Bah, Mildred Aleser, Erima Denis, Ian McCormick, Tess Bright, Suzannah Bell, Minjung Kim, Allen Foster, Hannah Kuper, Matthew J. Burton, Islay Mactaggart and Sarah Polack
Additional contact information
Dorothy Boggs: International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Abba Hydara: Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia
Yaka Faal: Ear Nose and Throat Unit, Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul, The Gambia
John Atta Okoh: Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia
Segun Isaac Olaniyan: Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia
Haruna Sanneh: Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia
Abdoulie Ngett: Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia
Isatou Bah: Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia
Mildred Aleser: Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia
Erima Denis: Lubaga Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
Ian McCormick: International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Tess Bright: International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Suzannah Bell: International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Minjung Kim: International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Allen Foster: International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Hannah Kuper: International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Matthew J. Burton: International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Islay Mactaggart: International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Sarah Polack: International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-19

Abstract: Few estimates are available of the need for assistive devices (ADs) in African settings. This study aimed to estimate population-level need for glasses and hearing aids in The Gambia based on (1) clinical impairment assessment, and (2) self-reported AD awareness, and explore the relationship between the two methods. The Gambia 2019 National Eye Health Survey is a nationally representative population-based sample of 9188 adults aged 35+ years. Participants underwent standardised clinical vision assessments including the need for glasses (distance and near). Approximately 25% of the sample underwent clinical assessment of hearing and hearing aid need. Data were also collected on self-reported awareness, need and access barriers to vision and hearing ADs. Overall, 5.6% of the study population needed distance glasses (95% CI 5.0–6.3), 45.9% (95% CI 44.2–47.5) needed near glasses and 25.5% (95% CI 22.2–29.2) needed hearing aids. Coverage for each AD was very low (<4%). The agreement between self-report and clinical impairment assessment for AD need was poor. In conclusion, there is high prevalence and very low coverage for distance glasses, near glasses and hearing aids in The Gambia. Self-report measures alone will not provide an accurate estimate of AD need.

Keywords: assistive device; surveys; need; access; glasses; hearing aids; vision impairment; hearing impairment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6302-:d:572631

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