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    Publication

    Understanding the role of Lady Health Workers in improving access to eye health services in rural Pakistan – findings from a qualitative study

    Journal: Archives of Public Health

    Summary

    In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, Lady Health Workers (LHWs) have been tasked with screening for some eye health issues but the uptake of referrals to health facilities has been low.

    Using qualitative methodology, this study explores the role of LHWs in referral and the barriers to patient compliance. It shows that disorganised and poor-quality care at the facility level eroded the community’s trust and limited access to eye care. Poverty, deep-rooted gender inequities, and lack of transportation were other reasons for non-compliance.

    This study highlights that LHWs have the potential to reduce unmet eye health needs, but only if they are supported by the rest of the health system through clear referral pathways and good communication.

    Read the journal article

    Related tags

    Pakistan
    Eye health
    Publication details
    Date published
    18 February 2021
    Type
    Original research
    Journal
    Archives of Public Health
    Countries
    Pakistan
    Themes/conditions
    Eye health
    Publication details
    Date published
    18 February 2021
    Type
    Original research
    Journal
    Archives of Public Health
    Countries
    Pakistan
    Themes/conditions
    Eye health

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