Barriers to Free Cataract Surgery in Yaoundé

Abstract

Purpose: To identifying barriers to massive turnout for free cataract surgery campaigns in Yaoundé Methods: We prospectively interviewed 68 patients who radically refused free cataract surgery at the University Teaching hospital (UTH) Yaoundé between January 2008 and December 2010. The questionnaire aimed at addressing: the knowledge of the cataract and its surgical treatment, the awareness of government’s subvention for free cataract operation, the reasons for refusal. Patient demographic data were also analyzed. Results:  A total of 68 patients (41 males and 27 females), mean age was 57.20 ± 11 years were enrolled in this study. Forty three patients (63.23%) were civil servants with fixed salaries, 25 (36.77%) were workers in the informal sector. 80% of the participants had a good knowledge of cataract and its surgical treatment. 58,82 % of the patients were aware of the ongoing government  subsidized campaign. Refusal reasons included: fear 38 (55.88%), awaiting of foreign NGO campaign 20 (29.42%), religious convictions 6(8.82%) wish for surgery abroad 4 (5.58%) Conclusion:  Fear and awaiting for foreign NGO surgery campaign were the main barriers for free cataract surgery in Yaoundé. Therefore, sporadic free cataract campaigns organized by foreign NGO appear to become a new barrier to cataract surgery.