Measuring cataract surgical services in children: an example from Tanzania.
BACKGROUND
Childhood cataract is becoming increasingly recognised as a priority for reducing childhood blindness in developing countries. However, there have been no standard methods to monitor progress in providing this service, besides sporadic reports of surgeries performed.


METHODS
Information on all children receiving surgery for congenital/developmental cataract in the two Child Eye Health Tertiary Facilities (CEHTF) in Tanzania was collected for 2004-6. An annual childhood cataract surgical rate (CCSR) was calculated per region. Male-to-female ratios were also generated by region of residence.


RESULTS
Overall, the CCSR (2006) in Tanzania was 9.9 per million population, ranging from 32.3 for regions where CEHTF are located to 5.4 for regions not adjacent to CEHTF regions. There were, on average, 148 boys for every 100 girls receiving surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Practical application of a measure of service delivery for childhood cataract has been useful in identifying gaps in utilisation of existing services by region as well as by gender. Testing in other settings would be helpful. An apparent inequity in use of services by girls requires attention.
Courtright
P
P
Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, Tumaini University, PO Box 2254, Moshi, Tanzania. pcourtright@kcco.net
Williams
T
T
Gilbert
C
C
Kishiki
E
E
Shirima
S
S
Bowman
R
R
Lewallen
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology