Blindness above and below the Poverty Line: Reflections form Sofala, Mozambique.

Although the correlation between visual impairment and poverty has been established, economic assessment is not a standard component of blindness surveys. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of avoidable blindness and its association with poverty in Sofala province of Mozambique. As part of a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness, 94% of a random sample of 3600 people >50 years responded to questions regarding daily per capita expenditure. The WHO definition of blindness (presenting visual acuity <3/60) was used to determine the visual status of participants, and the World Bank's threshold of living on <$1.25 International Dollar a day demarcated the poverty line. The prevalence of blindness was 3.2% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.6, 3.8]. People living below the poverty line had significantly greater odds of being blind [Odds Ratio (OR): 2.6 (CI: 1.6 to 4.5)]. Age above 60 [OR: 7.0 [CI: 4.6 to 10.80] predicted blindness but the association with illiteracy, gender or rural residence was not significant. Blindness disproportionately affects people living below the poverty line. Development initiatives could augment the impact of blindness prevention programs. Measuring poverty should become a standard component of visual impairment surveys.

Evaluations of refraction competencies of ophthalmic technicians in Mozambique / Evaluaciones de las competencias sobre refracción de los técnicos oftálmicos en Mozambique

Purpose: Ophthalmic technicians (OT) work at health facilities in Mozambique and are trained to provide primary and secondary eye care services including basic refraction. This study was designed to assess OT competence and confidence in refraction, and investigate whether an upskilling programme is effective in developing their competence and confidence at refraction. Methods: Thirty-one trainee OTs and 16 qualified OTs were recruited to the study. A background questionnaire was administered to determine the demographic profile of the OTs. A confidence levels questionnaire explored their self-reported skills. Clinical competencies were assessed in relation to knowledge (theory exam) and clinical skills (patient exams). 11 OTs were upskilled and the clinical evaluations carried out post training. Results: Initial evaluations demonstrated that confidence and competence levels varied depending on the OTs training (location and duration), and their location of work (clinical load, availability of equipment and other eye care personnel). The qualified OTs were more competent than trainee OTs in most of the evaluations. Post upskilling results demonstrated significant positive impact on confidence and competence levels. Conclusion: These evaluations identified factors affecting the refraction competencies of the OTs and demonstrated that upskilling is effective in improving confidence and competence levels for refraction. They demonstrate the need for a refraction competency framework. The overarching aim of this research was to inform the development of a nationwide programme of OT mentoring, upskilling and leading to the establishment of clinical competency standards for the new OT curricula, relevant to the professional demands (AU)

Objetivo: Los Técnicos Oftálmicos (TO) trabajan en los centros sanitarios de Mozambique, y están formados para aportar servicios de cuidados oculares primarios y secundarios que incluyen la refracción básica. Este estudio fue diseñado para evaluar la competencia y seguridad de los TO en cuanto a refracción, así como investigar la eficacia de un programa para incrementar sus conocimientos para desarrollar la competencia y seguridad en la refracción. Métodos: Para el estudio se reclutó a treinta y un TO en formación y a dieciséis TO cualificados. Se les proporcionó un cuestionario de antecedentes, para determinar el perfil demográfico de los TO. Un cuestionario sobre los niveles de seguridad exploró sus técnicas auto-reportadas. Las competencias clínicas se evaluaron en relación al conocimiento (examen teórico) y las habilidades clínicas (evaluación de los pacientes). Se incrementaron los conocimientos de 11 TO, realizándose la evaluación clínica tras su formación. Resultados: Las evaluaciones iniciales demostraron que los niveles de seguridad y competencia variaban dependiendo de la formación del TO (emplazamiento y duración), y de su emplazamiento de trabajo (carga clínica, disponibilidad de equipos y de personal adicional de cuidados oculares). Los TO cualificados fueron más competentes que los TO en formación en la mayoría de las evaluaciones. Los resultados tras el incremento de conocimientos demostró un impacto considerablemente positivo sobre los niveles de seguridad y competencia. Conclusión: Estas evaluaciones identificaron aquellos factores que afectan a las competencias sobre refracción de los TO, y demostraron que el incremento de conocimientos es eficaz para mejorar los niveles de seguridad y competencia en cuanto a refracción. Demostraron la necesidad de un marco de competencias en refracción. El objetivo más importante de esta investigación fue el de informar sobre el desarrollo de un programa nacional de tutelaje e incremento de conocimientos de los TO, encaminado a establecer los estándares de competencia clínica para los currículum de los nuevos TO, que sean relevantes para las demandas profesionales (AU)

Evaluations of refraction competencies of ophthalmic technicians in Mozambique.

PURPOSE: Ophthalmic technicians (OT) work at health facilities in Mozambique and are trained to provide primary and secondary eye care services including basic refraction. This study was designed to assess OT competence and confidence in refraction, and investigate whether an upskilling programme is effective in developing their competence and confidence at refraction. METHODS: Thirty-one trainee OTs and 16 qualified OTs were recruited to the study. A background questionnaire was administered to determine the demographic profile of the OTs. A confidence levels questionnaire explored their self-reported skills. Clinical competencies were assessed in relation to knowledge (theory exam) and clinical skills (patient exams). 11 OTs were upskilled and the clinical evaluations carried out post training. RESULTS: Initial evaluations demonstrated that confidence and competence levels varied depending on the OTs training (location and duration), and their location of work (clinical load, availability of equipment and other eye care personnel). The qualified OTs were more competent than trainee OTs in most of the evaluations. Post upskilling results demonstrated significant positive impact on confidence and competence levels. CONCLUSION: These evaluations identified factors affecting the refraction competencies of the OTs and demonstrated that upskilling is effective in improving confidence and competence levels for refraction. They demonstrate the need for a refraction competency framework. The overarching aim of this research was to inform the development of a nationwide programme of OT mentoring, upskilling and leading to the establishment of clinical competency standards for the new OT curricula, relevant to the professional demands.