Search

Purpose: To develop and implement mechanisms to collect, report, and assess the World Health Organization (WHO) core eye health indicators in Chile, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. Methods: Simple templates for a situational analysis (of data collection and reporting processes), a national data collection strategy, and a national work plan to implement the core eye health indicators were developed. Public and private sector representatives from the ministries of health (MOHs), national vision committees, and national societies of ophthalmology of each country used these tools with 2013 baseline data to improve their data collection processes and collected 2015 data. Final analysis and cross-validation were performed using intraocular lens sales data and last observation carried forward imputation. Results: Study tools were effectively implemented in all five countries and resulted in improved intersectoral stakeholder collaboration and communications, which improved the data collection and reporting processes. More complete and accurate data were reported by 2015 compared to the 2013 baseline. Conclusions: Multisectoral stakeholders, including national professional societies and national vision committees, should collaborate with MOHs to improve the quality of data that are reported to WHO. This study involved these stakeholders in the data collection processes to better understand the realities of indicator implementation, better manage their expectations, and improve data quality. WHO Member States across the globe can feasibly adapt the study tools and methodologies to strengthen their data collection processes. Overall, the reliability and validity of the indicators is hampered with limitations that prevent fully accurate data from being collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Investigate the quality of diabetes care in patients treated for ophthalmologic complications in Mexico and its contribution. Patients and methods: Agreements were made to provide structured diabetes education to patients seeking specialized treatment at the 3 largest Ophtalmology hospitals, and at a public tertiary level hospital, in Mexico city. Patients were invited to attend group diabetes education sessions provided by certified diabetes educators, with the main objective to improve their self-care knowledge and abilities as a means to increase metabolic control and the outcomes of ophthalmologic therapy. As a requirement to attend the sessions, each patient received a survey in which history of diabetes, diagnostic methods, glycemic control, treatment, and chronic complications was investigated. Results: 300 patients were analyzed for this report: 171 females and 129 males. Despite that these hospitals are devoted to treat persons without social security, 43.6% of the patients had this type of care. Comparative percentages, odds ratios (OR) and statistical significance regarding glycemic control, treatment, and complications in patients with social security and without social security, in some of the variables investigated are shown in the table: Conclusions: The results of this survey clearly demonstrate that poor quality of diabetes care is a leading contributing factor in the pathogenesis of ophthalmologic complications. In Mexico, glycemic control is based on fasting and capillary casual measurements; A1c is rarely used. Albeit patients with social security have more access to drug therapy, differences with uninsured patients are not significant. Overall, quality of diabetes care is worse in recipients of social security in Mexico than in patients without access to these services; 40% of the patients should be receiving this type of specialized care at the institution that charges to provide health services. Rates of diabetic foot and current smokers are significantly higher in insured than in noninsured patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]