The Appointment System Influences Uptake of Cataract Surgical Services in Rwanda

Gatera Fiston Kitema, Priya Morjaria, Wanjiku Mathenge and Jacqueline Ramke
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Gatera Fiston Kitema: Ophthalmology Department, School of Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali 4285, Rwanda
Priya Morjaria: International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Wanjiku Mathenge: Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO), Kigali 4285, Rwanda
Jacqueline Ramke: International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-9

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate barriers and enablers associated with the uptake of cataract surgery in Rwanda, where financial protection is almost universally available. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study where potential participants were adults aged >18 years who accepted an appointment for cataract surgery during the study period (May–July 2019). Information was collected from hospital records and a semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Of the 297 people with surgery appointments, 221 (74.4%) were recruited into the study, 126 (57.0%) of whom had attended their appointment. People more likely to attend their surgical appointment were literate, had fewer than 8 children, had poorer visual acuity, had access to a telephone in the family, received a specific date to attend their appointment, received a reminder, and reported no difficulties walking (95% significance level, p < 0.05). The most commonly reported barriers were insufficient information about the appointment ( n = 40/68, 58.8%) and prohibitive indirect costs ( n = 29/68, 42.6%). This study suggests that clear communication of appointment information and a subsequent reminder, together with additional support for people with limited mobility, are strategies that could improve uptake of cataract surgery in Rwanda.

Keywords: cataract; cataract services; health care access; vision impairment; health equity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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