RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of village community development workers in screening for blindness in the community and to suggest an extraordinary role for these cadres. DESIGN: Diagnostic study. SETTING: Chivi District, Zimbabwe. SUBJECTS: A simple random sample of 148 out of 886 people selected from notification forms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. RESULTS: The screening method employed was found to have a sensitivity of 93% (95% CI), specificity of 32% (95% CI) and a predictive value for a positive result of 75%. CONCLUSION: The use of village community development workers to screen for blindness in the community has proved to be a reliable alternative when there is shortage of both ophthalmic trained personnel and funds.
