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Research Article

Effect of SAFE Intervention on Pattern of Barriers to Trichiasis Surgery

1Consultant Ophthalmologist, Hospital Central Da Beira, 727- Aven Marteres da Revolucao, Beira, Mozambique

2Consultant Ophthalmologist, Eyen Consult Plc, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

*Corresponding Author:

Dr. Assegid Aga Roba
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Hospital Central Da Beira
727- Aven Marteres da Revolucao
Beira, Mozambique
Tel: +258-8482004959
Fax: +258-23311934
E-mail: agassegid@yahoo.com

Received date: May 04, 2012; Accepted date: July 16, 2012; Published date: July 19, 2012

Citation: Roba AA, Wondimu A, Eshetu Z (2012) Effect of SAFE Intervention on Pattern of Barriers to Trichiasis Surgery. J Community Med Health Educ 2:162. doi:10.4172/2161-0711.1000162

Copyright: © 2012 Roba AA, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Objective: Despite increasing availability of surgery for trachoma trichiasis, many people remain untreated. This study determined how the pattern of barriers to trichiasis surgery changes after intervention with the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face washing, Environmental improvements).
Methods: Cross sectional trichiasis prevalence surveys were conducted in four areas across Ethiopia between 2002 and 2008 before and after receiving SAFE intervention. Individuals with trichiasis provided their reason as to why they were not operated and the most important barrier identified for each case. Baseline and follow-up proportions were compared under three categories: Awareness, Accessibility and Acceptability.
Results: A total of 571 cases were interviewed before the intervention and another sample of 247 people participated in the post intervention assessment. The overall coverage of trichiasis surgery was 41%. Women were three times more likely to be affected than men. Indirect cost (32%), lack of awareness (28%), false beliefs (17%) and lack of escort (11%) remained the leading barriers in the follow-up assessment. The proportion of ‘Accessibility’ barriers (cost and distance) fell significantly from 49.0% [Confidence Interval (CI): 44.0%; 54.0%] down to 35% [CI: 27.2; 42.3]. The relative contribution of ‘Acceptance’ and ‘Awareness’ barriers increased though these changes were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Intervention with the SAFE strategy primarily improves accessibility to trichiasis surgery. However, acceptance and awareness related barriers standout to limit further uptake of services. Health promotion and counseling measures targeting women should be intensified in subsequent phases of SAFE.

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