Determinants of attendance and patient satisfaction at eye clinics in south-western Uganda.

PURPOSE

To identify the reasons for subjects deciding to attend or not attend local and referral ophthalmology clinics in south-west Uganda, and to establish the levels of satisfaction of clinic attenders with the services they received.

METHODS

A population survey identified subjects with ocular conditions who were referred to the local clinic or the district hospital. All non-attenders and a group of attenders were interviewed at home.

RESULTS

31% of those referred did not attend the local clinic. The most common reasons were 'too busy' (29%) or 'unwilling to buy spectacles' (17%). Less than half of attenders were satisfied, mainly because of no perceived clinical improvement or having to buy spectacles. Only 13% of those referred to the district hospital clinic attended. The main reasons for non-attendance were high transport cost and fear of the clinic.

CONCLUSION

Attendance and satisfaction with the community ophthalmology service could be improved by more intensive motivation and explanation for patients, and assistance with spectacle and transport costs. The use of aphakic motivators should be tested in this context.