Child eye health in Ethiopia: a mixed methods analysis of policy and commitment to action
Background Child eye health is a serious public health issue in Ethiopia, where children under the age of 15 account for over half of the population. Our aim was to review Ethiopian health policy and practice to reveal approaches and commitment to promotion and delivery of child eye health services....
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2023-11-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/11/e075622.full |
| _version_ | 1827616558760853504 |
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| author | Samson Tesfaye Asim Ali Helen Dimaras Sadik Taju Sherief Zelalem Eshetu |
| author_facet | Samson Tesfaye Asim Ali Helen Dimaras Sadik Taju Sherief Zelalem Eshetu |
| author_sort | Samson Tesfaye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Child eye health is a serious public health issue in Ethiopia, where children under the age of 15 account for over half of the population. Our aim was to review Ethiopian health policy and practice to reveal approaches and commitment to promotion and delivery of child eye health services.Methods We conducted a mixed-methods situational analysis employing documentary analysis and key informant interview methods. Government publications touching on any element of child eye health were included. Key informants were eligible if they were leaders, authorities, researchers or clinicians involved in child health. Data was combined and analysed by narrative synthesis, using an adaptation of the Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool as a framework.Findings Eleven documents developed by the Ministries of Health and Education were included and interviews with 14 key informants were conducted. A focus on child eye health was lacking in key health policy documents, demonstrated by limited allocation of funds, a shortage of human resources, and a subpar referral system across all levels of child eye care.Conclusion The study identified several gaps and limitations in child eye health in Ethiopia. There is a need for health policies that strengthen ownership, finance and partnerships for improved coordination, and collaboration with line ministries and other stakeholders to improve child eye health services in Ethiopia. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:28:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-22f628f828314b318316e38f33842d48 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:28:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-22f628f828314b318316e38f33842d482023-12-02T05:00:08ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552023-11-01131110.1136/bmjopen-2023-075622Child eye health in Ethiopia: a mixed methods analysis of policy and commitment to actionSamson Tesfaye0Asim Ali1Helen Dimaras2Sadik Taju Sherief3Zelalem Eshetu4Orbis International Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDepartment of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaDepartment of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada6 Department of Ophthalmology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaBiruh Vision Speciality Eye Center, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaBackground Child eye health is a serious public health issue in Ethiopia, where children under the age of 15 account for over half of the population. Our aim was to review Ethiopian health policy and practice to reveal approaches and commitment to promotion and delivery of child eye health services.Methods We conducted a mixed-methods situational analysis employing documentary analysis and key informant interview methods. Government publications touching on any element of child eye health were included. Key informants were eligible if they were leaders, authorities, researchers or clinicians involved in child health. Data was combined and analysed by narrative synthesis, using an adaptation of the Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool as a framework.Findings Eleven documents developed by the Ministries of Health and Education were included and interviews with 14 key informants were conducted. A focus on child eye health was lacking in key health policy documents, demonstrated by limited allocation of funds, a shortage of human resources, and a subpar referral system across all levels of child eye care.Conclusion The study identified several gaps and limitations in child eye health in Ethiopia. There is a need for health policies that strengthen ownership, finance and partnerships for improved coordination, and collaboration with line ministries and other stakeholders to improve child eye health services in Ethiopia.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/11/e075622.full |
| spellingShingle | Samson Tesfaye Asim Ali Helen Dimaras Sadik Taju Sherief Zelalem Eshetu Child eye health in Ethiopia: a mixed methods analysis of policy and commitment to action BMJ Open |
| title | Child eye health in Ethiopia: a mixed methods analysis of policy and commitment to action |
| title_full | Child eye health in Ethiopia: a mixed methods analysis of policy and commitment to action |
| title_fullStr | Child eye health in Ethiopia: a mixed methods analysis of policy and commitment to action |
| title_full_unstemmed | Child eye health in Ethiopia: a mixed methods analysis of policy and commitment to action |
| title_short | Child eye health in Ethiopia: a mixed methods analysis of policy and commitment to action |
| title_sort | child eye health in ethiopia a mixed methods analysis of policy and commitment to action |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/11/e075622.full |
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