Utilisation of eye and skin care, and social services among persons with albinism in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
African Vision and Eye Health
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Utilisation of eye and skin care, and social services among persons with albinism in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| Creator | Zungu, Zuzile Mashige, Khathutshelo P. | |
| Description | Background: Knowledge of the utilisation of eye and skin care, and social services among persons with albinism is essential for planning intervention strategies for this group.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the utilisation of eye and skin care, and social services among persons with albinism in the Ulundi Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.Setting: The Ulundi Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods: The cross-sectional survey used a questionnaire to collect data from 21 participants living with albinism. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted in small peer groups.Results: The participants (n = 21; males 8 and females 13) were aged 4 to 60 years (mean = 24.5 ± 17.9 years). All participants reported that they had their eyes tested within the last two years by an optometrist and none by an ophthalmologist. Almost half (42.9%) had never used a low vision device, this being because of their non-availability (44.4%), financial constraints (33.3%) and lack of or poor awareness (22.2%). Participants reported wearing a wide-brimmed hat (47.6%), a combination of wide-brimmed-hats and sunglasses (33.3%) for eye protection and 19% reported using neither. All the participants reported that they used sunscreen with sun protection factor and 90.5% reported using long-sleeved shirts for skin protection. The majority (81%) of participants reported receiving the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) social (visual disability) grant, with 85.7% knowing where the SASSA offices were located.Conclusion: Despite the poor use of low vision aids, the level of utilisation of eye and skin care, and other social services among participants was good. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2019-09-25 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/aveh.v78i1.484 | |
| Source | African Vision and Eye Health; Vol 78, No 1 (2019); 5 pages 2410-1516 2413-3183 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/484/1055
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/484/1054
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/484/1056
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/484/1045
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