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To determine the barriers and incentives to eye care utilization (ECU) in Abagana, a rural south-eastern Nigerian community. The study was a population-based cross-sectional mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) survey of adult inhabitants of Abagana, in July-August, 2011. Data on respondents' socio-demographics, barriers and incentives to ECU were collected, and analysed using descriptive and comparative statistics. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Qualitative data were obtained from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews and analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. The 549 respondents (males 224) were aged 49.8 ± 15.9 SD years (range 18-93 years). Overall, orthodox eye care had ever been sought by 42.4 %, and 46.4 % of those who reported change in vision. Lack of awareness-31.8 %, cost-18.0 %, and fatalistic attitudes-15.9 % were the main ECU barriers. Possession of health insurance (OR 11.49; 95 % CI 4.21-31.34; p = 0.001), family history of eye disorder (OR 3.27, 95 % CI 2.03-5.26; p = 0.001), noticed change in vision (OR 11.30; 95 % CI 1.42-90.09; p = 0.022), current eye disease (OR 4.06; 95 % CI 2.29-7.19; p = 0.001) and systemic co-morbidity (OR 4.33; 95 % CI 2.67-7.02; p = 0.001) were the incentives to ECU. To enhance the low ECU in Abagana community, educational interventions on eye health maintenance and eye health seeking behaviours, and measures to reduce eye care cost are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess eye care service utilization, and identify access barriers in a south-eastern Nigerian albino population. The study was a population-based, cross-sectional survey conducted in Enugu state between August, 2011 and January, 2012. Using the data base of the state's Albino Foundation and tailored awareness creation, persons living with albinism were identified and recruited at two study centres. Data on participants' socio-demographics, perception of vision, visual needs, previous eye examination and or low vision assessment, use of glasses or low vision devices were collected. Reasons for non-utilisation of available vision care services were also obtained. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The participants (n = 153; males 70; females 83; sex ratio: 1:1.1) were aged 23.46 + 10.44 SD years (range 6-60 years). Most-95.4 % of the participants had no previous low vision assessment and none-0.0 % had used low vision device. Of the participants, 82.4 % reported previous eye examination, 33.3 % had not used spectacles previously, despite the existing need. Ignorance-88.9 % and poor access-8.5 % were the main barriers to uptake of vision care services. In Enugu, Nigeria, there is poor awareness and low utilization of vision care services among people with albinism. The identified barriers to vision care access are amenable to awareness creation and logistic change in the provision of appropriate vision care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]