Addressing Gender Inequity in Eye Care in Africa
Author Information
Author(s): Mganga Herrieth, Lewallen Susan, Courtright Paul
Primary Institution: Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology
Hypothesis
What are the reasons for gender inequity in the use of eye care services in Africa?
Conclusion
Investment in various strategies is needed to ensure that eye care services are affordable, accessible, and acceptable to women and girls in Africa.
Supporting Evidence
- Women are about 1.4 times more likely to be blind than men globally.
- Cataract surgical coverage among women is lower than among men in all but one published survey.
- Women are less likely to express a need for sight due to fear of being seen as a burden.
Takeaway
In Africa, women are more likely to be blind than men because they often can't access eye care services. We need to make these services easier for women to use.
Methodology
The study reviewed literature on vision loss in Africa and summarized findings related to gender equity.
Potential Biases
Social and cultural factors may influence the perceived need for eye care services among women.
Limitations
The data available are limited and may not represent all regions equally.
Participant Demographics
The study focuses on women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa.
Statistical Information
P-Value
1.39
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.20-1.61
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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