Integration of optometry at the national health system: the case of the first optometrists in Mozambique

Introduction: In the last two decades an increasing number of African countries have established Optometry training to tackle the largely unmet eye health needs of the population. However not sufficient evidence exist on how the profession is integrated and contributing to national health systems. In Mozambique, the optometry program started under the Faculty of Health Sciences in the public Lúrio University in 2009. From 2012 to 2016, 23 graduates were employed by the National Health System (NHS). Objective: The aim of this research is to document the integration of Optometrists at the National Health System in Mozambique. Methods: This is a descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study. Questionnaires and structured interviews were administered to all participants. Results: The response rate was 100% and the Optometrists were found practicing in 10 of the 11 provinces of the country distributed among primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities, providing refraction and managing common ocular pathologies along with the Ophthalmic Technicians, resolving the majority of patient needs and needing to refer 28% of cases to other professionals. The lack of equipment was the main expressed barrier to the provision of effective eye care services. According to them, the optometry curriculum responds well (91%) to the competencies required at the workplace. Areas for improvement training and provision of services were identified and presented in the study. Conclusion: Optometrists are providing effective services needing to work closely and in coordination with other professionals. This research revealed the need for equipment provision and continuing education

The Epidemiology of Trachoma in Mozambique: Results of 96 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys.

PURPOSE: Surveys are needed to guide trachoma control efforts in Mozambique, with WHO guidelines for intervention based on the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years and the prevalence of trichiasis in adults aged 15 years and above. We conducted surveys to complete the map of trachoma prevalence in Mozambique. METHODS: Between July 2012 and May 2015, we carried out cross-sectional surveys in 96 evaluation units (EUs) covering 137 districts. RESULTS: A total of 269,217 individuals were enumerated and 249,318 people were examined using the WHO simplified trachoma grading system. Overall, 102,641 children aged 1-9 years, and 122,689 individuals aged 15 years and above were examined. The prevalence of TF in children aged 1-9 years was ≥10% in 12 EUs, composed of 20 districts, covering an estimated total population of 2,455,852. These districts require mass distribution of azithromycin for at least 3 years before re-survey. The TF prevalence in children was 5.0-9.9% in 17 EUs (28 districts, total population 3,753,039). 22 EUs (34 districts) had trichiasis prevalences ≥0.2% in adults 15 years and above, and will require public health action to provide surgical services addressing the backlog of trichiasis. Younger age, more children resident in the household, and living in a household that had an unimproved latrine or no latrine facility, were independently associated with an increased odds of TF in children aged 1-9 years. CONCLUSIONS: Trachoma represents a significant public health problem in many areas of Mozambique

Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness Dataset: Mozambique, Inhambane (2016)

Anonymous participant level dataset including variables for visual acuity, spectacle use, lens status, cause of vision impairment, cataract surgical history, barriers to cataract surgery and population count data for five-year age-gender groups for males and females 50 years and olde

Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness Dataset: Mozambique, Nampula (2018)

Anonymous participant level dataset including variables for visual acuity, spectacle use, lens status, cause of vision impairment, cataract surgical history, barriers to cataract surgery and population count data for five-year age-gender groups for males and females 50 years and olde