"Augmenting the referral pathway for retinal services among diabetic patients at Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga Eye Hospital, Nepal: a non-randomized, pre-post intervention study".

BACKGROUND: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is an important public health issue in Nepal. Despite the availability of retinal services, people may not access them because of the lack of knowledge about DR and poor referral systems. DR screening uptake was low at Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga Eye Hospital(REMEH) since retina services were started. Scheer Memorial Hospital is a multispeciality hospital near to REMEH. It has no eye department but has been running a regular diabetic clinic. This was a site for referring diabetic patients for DR screening. Improving DR awareness among general physicians has the potential to address these challenges. METHODS: The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of providing health education to selected health personnel and establish a referral pathway on the attendance of diabetic patients for retinal screening at REMEH. This was a non-randomized, pre-post intervention study design. Total of three health education sessions were provided to the health care professionals of Scheer on diabetic retinopathy using Power Point presentations, posters, pamphlets and videos. The study period was 16 months (2020 June -2021 September) and divided into 8 months pre-intervention(baseline data collection) and 8 months post intervention period. The proportional increase in number of diabetes attendance pre and post intervention was calculated by Z test. The change in knowledge of health care personnels pre and post intervention was scored and evaluated through a questionnaire and calculated by paired- t test. Data was analyzed using Excel and Epi Info 7.The Protocol was published on August 21, 2021, in JMIR Publications. RESULTS: The proportional increase in number of referrals of diabetes attendance post intervention increased from 50 to 95% and was statistically significant (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.214-0.688). The mean score of knowledge gained by physicians on DR awareness was more at post intervention (8.8 ± 1.32) than pre intervention (6.4 ± 1.51). It was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that a well-planned health education intervention changes the knowledge in physicians about DR. There is an increase in the number of referrals and attendance of patients for DR screening with the change in knowledge and referral mechanism. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov NCT04829084; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04829084 :02/04/2021.

Augmenting the Referral Pathway for Retinal Services Among Patients With Diabetes Mellitus at Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga Eye Hospital, Nepal: Protocol for a Nonrandomized, Pre-Post Intervention Study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important public health issue in Nepal with a huge social and economic impact. Despite the availability of retinal services, people may not access them because of the lack of knowledge about DR and poor referral systems. Published studies on referral pathways in Nepal are scarce. Improving DR awareness among general physicians has the potential to address these challenges. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a health education intervention on health personnel, establish a referral pathway, and assess the impact of the intervention on the attendance of patients with diabetes mellitus for retinal screening at Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga Eye Hospital in Nepal. METHODS: This is a nonrandomized, pre- and postintervention study. Health education on DR will be provided to selected health personnel of the intervention hospital (Scheer Memorial) using information education and communication (IEC) materials in the form of PowerPoint presentations, posters, pamphlets, videos, and pre- and postevaluation questionnaires along with referral slip. Pre- and postevaluation will be undertaken during the study period. Data will be analyzed using MS Excel and Epi Info 7. RESULTS: The ethical approval for this study has been obtained from the Ethical Review Board of the Nepal Health Research Council (ERB Protocol Registration Number # 582/2020P). The study is expected to be completed in 18 months from the start of the project. The baseline data collection was from June to January 2020 for a period of 8 months. The postintervention data collection was from February to September 2021 for a period of 8 months. The last 2 months are planned for data analysis and report writing. CONCLUSIONS: Health education intervention could be a low-cost solution to improve the awareness, access, and utilization of retinal health care services; this is an understudied topic in Nepal. Working closely with the stakeholders, this study will evaluate the role of health education interventions (which are already validated in other low-income settings) to strengthen referral and reduce the burden of DR in Nepal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04829084; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04829084. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/33116.

Overview and project highlights of an initiative to integrate diabetic retinopathy screening and management in the public health system in India.

Purpose: Diabetes is a public health concern in India and diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an emerging cause of visual impairment and blindness. Approximately 3.35-4.55 million people with diabetes mellitus (PwDM) are at risk of vision-threatening DR (VTDR) in India. More than 2/3 of India's population resides in rural areas where penetration of modern medicine is mostly limited to the government public health system. Despite the increasing magnitude, there is no systematic screening for the complications of diabetes, including DR in the public health system. Therefore, a pilot project was initiated with the major objectives of management of DR at all levels of the government health system, initiating a comprehensive program for the detection of eye complications among PwDM at public health noncommunicable disease (NCD) clinics, augmenting the capacity of physicians, ophthalmologists and health support personnel and empowering carers/PwDM to control the risk of DR through increased awareness and self-management. Methods: A national task force (NTF) was constituted to oversee policy formulation and provide strategic direction. 10 districts were identified for implementation across 10 states. Protocols were developed to help implement training and service delivery. Results: Overall, 66,455 PwDM were screened and DR was detected in 16.2% (10,765) while VTDR was detected in 7.5%. 10.1% of those initially screened returned for the next annual assessment. There was a 7-fold increase in the number of PwDM screened and a 7.6-fold increase in the number of PwDM treated between 2016 and 2018. Conclusion: Services for detecting and managing DR can be successfully integrated into the existing public health system.

Establishing peer support groups for diabetic retinopathy in India: Lessons learned and way ahead.

Purpose: Complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) are a public health problem globally. DM management entails medication and self-management. Peer support groups (PSGs) can improve self-management and promote healthy behavior. The objectives of this study were to design, establish, and evaluate two PSG models for people who had been screened for diabetic retinopathy to assess self-reported lifestyle changes, satisfaction with meetings and barriers to attendance. Methods: Peer groups were established using a pre-tested facilitator's guide in 11 locations in 3 states. Group members were oriented on diabetes management and lifestyle changes to improve control. Attendees' experiences were ascertained through semi-structured interviews and self-report. Data were analyzed using MS Excel 2017. Results: Eleven PSGs were established in 3 states, in 10 community health centers and one eye hospital. 53 sessions were held and 195 people attended on 740 occasions. Lifestyle changes most frequently reported between first and second visits were taking medication regularly and dietary modification. Attendance declined in the eye hospital group. 83% of CHCs members were satisfied or very satisfied compared with 37% of eye hospital (EH) members. The barriers included distance and lack of family support. Conclusion: PSGs held in CHCs were more sustainable than those in an eye hospital, and group members were more satisfied and more likely to report positive lifestyle changes. Findings were self-reported and hence a major limitation for the study. Further studies should focus on obtaining objective measures of control of diabetes and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy from members attending peer support groups in CHCs.

1800 121 2096 Diabeteshelp - A toll free helpline for people with diabetes.

People with diabetes mellitus require long-term care that is timely, patient-centered, community-based and sustainable. Any deficiency in care increases the risk of developing complications like Diabetic Retinopathy. Patients or their carers also have numerous questions and doubts during this long-period of care. This increases the pressure on health systems that are struggling with a lack of skilled human resources. One option is to provide counseling support using a dedicated helpline. Over the last five years a major initiative to tackle visual impairment due to diabetes was rolled out in India by the Public Health Foundation of India supported by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, UK. One component of the initiative was establishing a toll-free helpline (1800 121 2096) to address the lack of awareness and to empower people with diabetes in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states in India. Over a 1-year period, the helpline received 4406 calls, making a case for a national service for people with diabetes.

Retinopathy of prematurity: Overview and highlights of an initiative to integrate prevention, screening, and management into the public health system in India.

Purpose: In India, more than 800 special newborn care units (SNCUs) have been established since 2008 in government facilities. More preterm infants are now surviving and blindness from retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is increasing. The aim of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust's initiative (2012-1019) was to improve the quality of neonatal care and integrate ROP services into the government health system using expertise in the government and nongovernment sector in four states in a sustainable and scalable manner. Methods: State Ministries of Health were engaged and collaboration was established between three government programs (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, and blindness prevention) and relevant professionals. Extensive training took place and equipment was provided. Implementation was guided by a multidisciplinary National Task Force and was monitored by state coordination committees. The Task Force appointed technical expert groups to support implementation through advocacy, information, education and communication materials, operational guidelines, a competency-based training curriculum, and an online database and website. Results: Twenty-two ophthalmologists in government facilities were trained to screen for ROP and nine to treat ROP. Almost 13,500 preterm infants were screened in 17 SNCUs and 86% of the 456 infants with sight-threatening ROP were treated. An educational resource using latest pedagogy based on key domain areas for best practices for small and preterm neonates including ROP has been developed and pilot tested and is being evaluated and scaled up. Conclusion: All four states are scaling up services or have plans to scale up, and several other states have started the initiatives.

Public health system integration of avoidable blindness screening and management, India.

In India, 73 million people have diabetes and 3.5 million infants are born preterm. Without timely screening, there is a risk of visual loss due to diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity in these two groups, respectively. Both conditions are emerging causes of visual impairment in India but there is no public health programme for screening or management. Pilot projects were initiated in 2014 to integrate the screening and management of these conditions into existing public health systems, particularly in rural communities and their referral networks. The World Health Organization's health systems framework was used to develop the projects and strategies were developed with all stakeholders, including the government. Both projects involved hub-and-spoke models of care units around medical schools. For diabetic retinopathy, screening was established at primary health-care facilities and treatment was provided at district hospitals. For retinopathy of prematurity, screening was integrated into sick newborn care units at the district level and treatment facilities were improved at the closest publically funded medical schools. In the first two years, there were substantial improvements in awareness, screening, treatment and partnership between stakeholders, and changes in public health policy. By March 2018, diabetic retinopathy screening was established at 50 facilities in 10 states and treatment had been improved at 10 hospitals, whereas retinopathy of prematurity screening was established at 16 sick newborn care units in district hospital in four states and treatment had been improved at six medical schools. Advocacy within state governments was critical to the success of the initiative.

En Inde, 73 millions de personnes sont atteintes de diabète et 3,5 millions de nourrissons naissent avant terme. Lorsque le dépistage n'est pas effectué à temps, il existe un risque de perte de la vue due à la rétinopathie diabétique dans le cas du premier groupe et à la rétinopathie du prématuré dans le cas du second. Bien que ces deux maladies soient de nouvelles causes de déficience visuelle en Inde, aucun programme de santé publique ne vise leur dépistage ou leur prise en charge. Des projets pilotes ont été lancés en 2014 pour intégrer le dépistage et la prise en charge de ces maladies dans les systèmes de santé publique existants, en particulier dans les communautés rurales et leurs réseaux d'orientation. Le cadre des systèmes de santé de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé a été utilisé pour développer ces projets et des stratégies ont été élaborées avec toutes les parties prenantes, et notamment le gouvernement. Les deux projets impliquaient des réseaux en étoile d'unités de soins autour des écoles de médecine. Dans le cas de la rétinopathie diabétique, le dépistage a été assuré dans des établissements de soins de santé primaires, tandis que le traitement a été appliqué dans des hôpitaux de district. Dans le cas de la rétinopathie du prématuré, le dépistage a été intégré dans des unités de soins pour les pathologies néo-natales au niveau des districts et les installations de traitement ont été améliorées dans les écoles de médecine financées par l'État les plus proches. Au cours des deux premières années, des améliorations considérables ont été constatées en matière de sensibilisation, de dépistage, de traitement et de partenariat entre les parties prenantes, et des changements ont été apportés à la politique de santé publique. En mars 2018, le dépistage de la rétinopathie diabétique était assuré dans 50 établissements répartis dans 10 États et le traitement avait été amélioré dans 10 hôpitaux, tandis que le dépistage de la rétinopathie du prématuré était assuré dans 16 unités de soins pour les pathologies néo-natales dans les hôpitaux de district de quatre États et le traitement avait été amélioré dans six écoles de médecine. Un soutien au sein des administrations des États fédérés a été essentiel au succès de l'initiative.

En la India, 73 millones de personas son diabéticas y 3,5 millones de niños nacen prematuros. Sin exámenes de detección oportunos, existe un riesgo de pérdida de la visión por la retinopatía diabética y la retinopatía por prematuridad en estos dos grupos, respectivamente. Ambas afecciones son causas emergentes de discapacidad visual en la India, pero no existe un programa de salud pública para la detección o el tratamiento. En 2014 se iniciaron proyectos piloto para integrar el análisis y la gestión de estas condiciones en los sistemas de salud pública existentes, en particular en las comunidades rurales y sus redes de derivación. Se utilizó el marco de sistemas de salud de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para desarrollar los proyectos y se desarrollaron estrategias con todas las partes interesadas, incluido el gobierno. En ambos proyectos se utilizaron modelos de unidades de atención centralizados en torno a las facultades de medicina. En cuanto a la retinopatía diabética, se establecieron exámenes de detección en los centros de atención primaria y se ofreció tratamiento en los hospitales de distrito. En cuanto a la retinopatía por prematuridad, los exámenes de detección se integraron en las unidades de atención neonatal a nivel de distrito y se mejoraron las instalaciones de tratamiento en las facultades de medicina más cercanas financiadas con fondos públicos. En los dos primeros años se produjeron mejoras sustanciales en la sensibilización, la detección, el tratamiento y la asociación entre las partes interesadas, así como cambios en la política de salud pública. Para marzo de 2018, se establecieron exámenes de detección de retinopatía diabética en 50 establecimientos de 10 estados y se mejoró el tratamiento en 10 hospitales, mientras que se establecieron exámenes de detección de retinopatía por prematuridad en 16 unidades de atención neonatal en hospitales de distrito de cuatro estados y se mejoró el tratamiento en seis facultades de medicina. La promoción dentro de los gobiernos estatales fue fundamental para el éxito de la iniciativa.