Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness

The planning of eye care programmes requires data on the prevalence and causes of blindness. Unfortunately, programme planning is often hampered by the lack of data, because no surveys have been conducted in the area or the surveys are too old to be relevant. Programme planners are often reluctant to plan surveys, as they are believed to be expensive, time-consuming, and complicated. The Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) has been developed as a simple and rapid survey methodology that can provide data on the prevalence and causes of blindness. So far, RAAB has been successfully undertaken in Kenya,1 Bangladesh,2 the Philippines, Botswana, Rwanda, Mexico, and China (personal communication). RAAB is an updated and modified version of the Rapid Assessment of Cataract Surgical Services (RACSS)

RAAB - Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness

RAAB is a free software package for data entry and analysis of rapid assessment of avoidable blindness surveys

Evaluation of the Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire: The CPQ-D

[Background] The aim was to create a German version of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire (CPQ-D) and to test its factor structure, reliability, and validity in a non-clinical population. [Method] We recruited N = 432 participants via an online panel. The factor structure of CPQ-D was examined. The convergent, discriminative, and incremental validity was assessed in relation to the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). [Results] Exploratory factor analysis resulted in two factors. Factor 1 represented the over evaluation of striving and Factor 2 was associated to concern over mistakes. Internal consistency was acceptable with ω = .81 for the total score, ω = .77 for Factor 1, and ω = .73 for Factor 2. Convergent, discriminative, and incremental validity was demonstrated. Important to note, Item 12 should be used with caution since it showed low communality and a low item-total correlation and should therefore be further evaluated in future research. [Conclusion] The results indicate that the German translated version of the CPQ has acceptable internal consistency, convergent, discriminative and incremental validity. Future research should test the CPQ-D scale further in clinical and non-clinical populations and assess a broader variety of scales to determine validity of the scale

Perfectionism in transdiagnostic networks

Using survey data to investigate the transdiagnostic role of perfectionism in cross-sectional as well as longitudinal symptom networks, including symptoms of eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, and depression

Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness in Nakuru district, Kenya.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of avoidable blindness in > or =50-year-olds in Nakuru district, Kenya, and to evaluate the Rapid Assessment for Avoidable Blindness (RAAB), a new methodology to measure the magnitude and causes of blindness. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based survey. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-six clusters of 50 people 50 years or older were selected by probability proportionate to size sampling of clusters. Households within clusters were selected through compact segment sampling. Three thousand seven hundred eighty-four eligible subjects were selected, of whom 3503 (92.6%) were examined. METHODS: Participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination in their homes by an ophthalmologist, including measurement of visual acuity (VA) with a tumbling-E chart and the diagnosis of the principal cause of visual impairment. Those who had undergone cataract surgery were questioned about the details of the operation and their satisfaction with surgery. Those who were visually impaired from cataract were asked why they had not gone for surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity and principal cause of VA or =6/60) was 5.8% (95% CI, 4.8%-6.8%) in the sample. Definite avoidable causes of blindness (i.e., cataract, refractive error, trachoma, and corneal scarring) were responsible for 69.6% of bilateral blindness and 74.9% of bilateral visual impairment. Cataract was the major cause of blindness (42.0%) and visual impairment (36.0%). The cataract surgical coverage was high, with 78% of those with bilateral cataract who needed surgery having had surgery at VA or =50-year-olds in Nakuru district was low, in part due to the high cataract surgical coverage. The RAAB is easy to use and inexpensive and provides information about the magnitude and causes of avoidable blindness that can be used for planning and monitoring eye care services

Validity of the compulsive exercise test in regular exercisers

Measurement of compulsive exercise is important for the study of eating pathology in individuals who regularly participate in sport and exercise. The current study examined the factor structure, internal consistency and validity of the compulsive exercise test (CET) in regular exercisers. Participants were recruited via the internet and from sport clubs (n = 313 adults; M = 32 years; 57% female). A three-factor model for the CET was supported which included the weight control exercise, avoidance and rule-driven behaviour, and mood improvement subscales (fit statistics for the three-factor model: χ2SB = 4.39; CFI = .95; NNFI = .94, RMSEA = .100, 95% CI: .093—.110, AIC = 656.92). The subscales lack of exercise enjoyment and exercise rigidity were not retained. All factors demonstrated acceptable internal consistency with Cronbach’s α = .77 to .91. The weight control exercise and avoidance and rule-driven behaviour subscales were significantly related to eating disorder symptoms. Given the association between CET subscales and eating disorder symptoms, the CET three-factor model may be informative when assessing eating pathology in individuals who regularly exercise.peerReviewe

Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness in Negros Island and Antique District, Philippines

OBJECTIVES: To conduct rapid assessments of avoidable blindness to estimate the magnitude and causes of blindness in people aged >/=50 years in Negros Island and Antique district, Philippines. METHODS: Clusters of 50 people aged >/=50 years were sampled with probability proportionate to size. Households within clusters were selected through compact segment sampling. Visual acuity (VA) was measured with a tumbling "E" chart. Ophthalmologists examined people with VA/=6/60). Most of the cases of blindness (67% in Negros, 82% in Antique) and visual impairment (94% in Negros, 95% in Antique) were avoidable (ie, operated and unoperated cataract, refractive error and corneal scar). In Negros, 23% of eyes had a poor outcome after cataract surgery, and 13% in Antique. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of blindness in two areas in the Philippines was relatively low. Since most cases were avoidable, further reductions are possible