[Social marketing to increase the rate of cataract surgery in the Sava region of Madagascar].
OBJECTIVE
Lack of information is one of the main reasons why people who are visually impaired or blind as a result of cataracts do not visit eye care centers for surgery that can restore their sight. This study was conducted to determine the best ways to inform the main target groups about the possibility of restoring sight to those whose visual impairment and blindness is due to cataracts and about outreach visits by the mobile eye clinic of FLM SALFA, Sambava, in the Sava region of Madagascar from November 2008 through October 2009.


METHODS
Two community eye health workers conducted awareness campaigns and delivered posters to radio stations, religious leaders, and administrative authorities of the 17 most populated municipalities in the region of Sava, two weeks before these visits. All participants who visited the mobile clinic were interviewed, and the ophthalmologist's diagnosis was noted on the questionnaire.


RESULTS
Women accounted for 51.5% of the 955 participants. Radio was the most effective means of communication in the region overall, and specifically for reaching men (P=0.044); churches were more successful for reaching women (P = 0.000). Cataract was diagnosed in 16.2% of men and 8.1% of women (p = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
To significantly increase the number of people, especially women, having cataract surgery in the Sava region, it is essential to work closely with the leaders of all religious groups, as well as with radio stations.
Africa Eye Foundation, B.P. 3774, Yaounde, Cameroun.
H E
HE
Nkumbe
SALFA Eye Project, BP 3825, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
N
N
Razafinimpanana
FLM SALFA, Sambawa, Madagascar.
L P
LP
Rakotondrajoa
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008270:Madagascar; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D011845:Radio; D012737:Sex Factors; D040241:Social Marketing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
awareness; cataract; screening; surgery