title: Ocular morbidity and health seeking behaviour in Kwara state, Nigeria: implications for delivery of eye care services.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is currently limited information as to which conditions are most prevalent in communities in developing countries. This makes effective planning of eye services difficult.
  
  
  METHODS
  3,899 eligible individuals were recruited and examined in a cross-sectional survey in Asa Local Government Area, Nigeria. Those who self-reported an ocular morbidity were also asked about their health-seeking behaviour. Health records of local facilities were reviewed to collect information on those presenting with ocular morbidities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  25.2% (95% CI: 22.0-28.6) had an ocular morbidity in at least one eye. Leading causes were presbyopia and conditions affecting the lens and conjunctiva. The odds of having an ocular morbidity increased with age and lower educational attainment. 10.1% (7.7-13.0) self-reported ocular morbidity; 48.6% (40.4-56.8) of them reported seeking treatment. At the facility level, 344 patients presented with an ocular morbidity over one month, the most common conditions were red (26.3%) or itchy (20.8%) eyes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ocular morbidities, including many non vision impairing conditions, were prevalent with a quarter of the population affected. The delivery of eye care services needs to be tailored in order to address this need and ensure delivery in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
authors.affiliation: Sightsavers, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Senyonjo
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lindfield
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abdulraheem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Kahaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimani
authors.affiliation: Sightsavers Nigeria, Kaduna, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Safiya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanda
authors.affiliation: Sightsavers, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D014785:Vision, Ocular; D055815:Young Adult