Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34140000›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2021

Situational analysis of diabetic retinopathy treatment Services in Ghana.

Agatha Mensah-Debrah, Kwesi Nyan Amissah Arthur, David Ben Kumah, Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo, Isaiah Osei Duah, Covadonga Bascaran

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Agatha Mensah-DebrahNational Eye Care Unit, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8431-0177
Kwesi Nyan Amissah ArthurOphthalmology Unit, Department of Surgery, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2018-2043
David Ben KumahDepartment of Optometry and Visual Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4634-3637
Kwadwo Owusu AkuffoDepartment of Optometry and Visual Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. akuffokwadwoowusu@knust.edu.gh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6683-249X
Isaiah Osei DuahDepartment of Optometry and Visual Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4501-8602
Covadonga BascaranInternational Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5662-3325

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlthough the equitable distribution of diabetic retinopathy (DR) services across Ghana remains paramount, there is currently a poor understanding of nationwide DR treatment services. This study aims to conduct a situation analysis of DR treatment services in Ghana and provide evidence on the breadth, coverage, workload, and gaps in service delivery for DR treatment.

methodsA cross-sectional study was designed to identify health facilities which treat DR in Ghana from June 2018 to August 2018. Data were obtained from the facilities using a semi-structured questionnaire which included questions identifying human resources involved in DR treatment, location of health facilities with laser, vitreoretinal surgery and Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (Anti-VEGF) for DR treatment, service utilisation and workload at these facilities, and the average price of DR treatment in these facilities.

resultsFourteen facilities offer DR treatment in Ghana; four in the public sector, seven in the private sector and three in the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) centres. There was a huge disparity in the distribution of facilities offering DR services, the eye care cadre, workload, and DR treatment service (retinal laser, Anti-VEGF, and vitreoretinal surgery). The retinal laser treatment price was independent of all variables (facility type, settings, regions, and National Health Insurance Scheme coverage). However, settings (p = 0.028) and geographical regions (p = 0.010) were significantly associated with anti-VEGF treatment price per eye.

conclusionOur results suggest a disproportionate distribution of DR services in Ghana. Hence, there should be a strategic development and implementation of an eye care plan to ensure the widespread provision of DR services to the disadvantaged population as we aim towards a disadvantaged population as we aim towards a universal health coverage.

Indexed as

Diabetes MellitusDiabetic RetinopathyCross-Sectional StudiesGhanaHealth FacilitiesHumansUniversal Health InsuranceAnti-VEGFBarrier to diabetic treatmentCost-utility analysisDiabetic retinopathy treatmentDisparities in health careGhanaRetinal laserVitreoretinal surgery

Identifiers

PMID34140000
PMCPMC8212523

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.