Role of Anganwadi workers (AWWs)/community health workers in preschool vision screening in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Session Details

Session Title: Orbis Free Paper session

Session Date/Time: Monday 15/09/2014 | 11:45-12:45

Paper Time: 12:03

Venue: Capital Suite 14 (Level 3)

First Author: : L.Tsetim INDIA

Co Author(s): :    A. Deka   T. Sorum           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To see the effectiveness of anganwadi workers/community health workers in preschool vision screening

Setting:

This retrospective community based study was a part of Ramakrishna Missio Hospital-Orbis International, Country office India childhood blindness project conducted in papumpare district, Arunachal Pradesh, India from 2008-2010

Methods:

93 AWWs/Community health workers were trained in preschool eye screening. These trained health workers did screening of all the preschool children in their centres and villages. Those having ocular problems were then examined by orthoptists/Ophthalmologist.

Results:

93 AWWs from 53 anganwadi centres of Papumpare district, Arunachal Pradesh, India were trained in preschool eye screening between 2008-2010. They screened 3563 children. 624(17.5%) children were referred to the eye screening camp for further assessment. 63% of these required more than one examination by the orthoptist and 28% were subsequently referred to an ophthalmologist for further assessment. 178 free glasses were dispensed. 58 children had significant refractive errors , Amblyopia was detected in 04 children, 5 had squints without amblyopia, 4 children had Vitamin A deficiency, 3 patients had corneal opacity and 1 had ptosis

Conclusions:

Vision screening for preschool children by health visitors is an effective alternative to primary screening by orthoptists. The findings suggest that using health visitors to screen vision in preschool children makes efficient use of existing routine checks

Financial Interest:

NONE