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Estimating Need for Glasses and Hearing Aids in The Gambia: Results from a National Survey and Comparison of Clinical Impairment and Self-Report Assessment Approaches

Author

Listed:
  • Dorothy Boggs

    (International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Abba Hydara

    (Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia)

  • Yaka Faal

    (Ear Nose and Throat Unit, Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul, The Gambia)

  • John Atta Okoh

    (Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia)

  • Segun Isaac Olaniyan

    (Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia)

  • Haruna Sanneh

    (Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia)

  • Abdoulie Ngett

    (Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia)

  • Isatou Bah

    (Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia)

  • Mildred Aleser

    (Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing, The Gambia)

  • Erima Denis

    (Lubaga Hospital, Kampala, Uganda)

  • Ian McCormick

    (International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Tess Bright

    (International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Suzannah Bell

    (International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Minjung Kim

    (International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Allen Foster

    (International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Hannah Kuper

    (International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Matthew J. Burton

    (International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
    National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK)

  • Islay Mactaggart

    (International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
    International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Sarah Polack

    (International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

Abstract

Few estimates are available of the need for assistive devices (ADs) in African settings. This study aimed to estimate population-level need for glasses and hearing aids in The Gambia based on (1) clinical impairment assessment, and (2) self-reported AD awareness, and explore the relationship between the two methods. The Gambia 2019 National Eye Health Survey is a nationally representative population-based sample of 9188 adults aged 35+ years. Participants underwent standardised clinical vision assessments including the need for glasses (distance and near). Approximately 25% of the sample underwent clinical assessment of hearing and hearing aid need. Data were also collected on self-reported awareness, need and access barriers to vision and hearing ADs. Overall, 5.6% of the study population needed distance glasses (95% CI 5.0–6.3), 45.9% (95% CI 44.2–47.5) needed near glasses and 25.5% (95% CI 22.2–29.2) needed hearing aids. Coverage for each AD was very low (<4%). The agreement between self-report and clinical impairment assessment for AD need was poor. In conclusion, there is high prevalence and very low coverage for distance glasses, near glasses and hearing aids in The Gambia. Self-report measures alone will not provide an accurate estimate of AD need.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorothy Boggs & Abba Hydara & Yaka Faal & John Atta Okoh & Segun Isaac Olaniyan & Haruna Sanneh & Abdoulie Ngett & Isatou Bah & Mildred Aleser & Erima Denis & Ian McCormick & Tess Bright & Suzannah Be, 2021. "Estimating Need for Glasses and Hearing Aids in The Gambia: Results from a National Survey and Comparison of Clinical Impairment and Self-Report Assessment Approaches," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6302-:d:572631
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wesley Pryor & Liem Nguyen & Qumrun Naher Islam & Faruk Ahmed Jalal & Manjula Marella, 2018. "Unmet Needs and Use of Assistive Products in Two Districts of Bangladesh: Findings from a Household Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Tess Bright & Islay Mactaggart & Min Kim & Jennifer Yip & Hannah Kuper & Sarah Polack, 2019. "Rationale for a Rapid Methodology to Assess the Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Population-Based Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-16, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dorothy Boggs & Hannah Kuper & Islay Mactaggart & Tess Bright & GVS Murthy & Abba Hydara & Ian McCormick & Natalia Tamblay & Matias L. Alvarez & Oluwarantimi Atijosan-Ayodele & Hisem Yonso & Allen Fos, 2022. "Exploring the Use of Washington Group Questions to Identify People with Clinical Impairments Who Need Services including Assistive Products: Results from Five Population-Based Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, April.

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