Interventions to improve access to cataract surgical services and their impact on equity in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Abstract
Background
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), and the prevalence is inequitably distributed between and within countries. Interventions have been undertaken to improve cataract surgical services, however, the effectiveness of these interventions on promoting equity is not known.
Objectives
To assess the effects on equity of interventions to improve access to cataract services for populations with cataract blindness (and visual impairment) in LMICs.
Search methods
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2017, Issue 3), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 12 April 2017), Embase Ovid (1980 to 12 April 2017), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature Database) (1982 to 12 April 2017), the ISRCTN registry (www.isrctn.com/editAdvancedSearch); searched 12 April 2017, ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov); searched 12 April 2017 and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en); searched 12 April 2017. We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials.
Selection criteria
We included studies that reported on strategies to improve access to cataract services in LMICs using the following study designs: randomised and quasi‐randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled before‐and‐after studies, and interrupted time series studies. Included studies were conducted in LMICs, and were targeted at disadvantaged populations, or disaggregated outcome data by 'PROGRESS‐Plus' factors (Place of residence; Race/ethnicity/ culture/ language; Occupation; Gender/sex; Religion; Education; Socio‐economic status; Social capital/networks. The 'Plus' component includes disability, sexual orientation and age).
Data collection and analysis
Two authors (JR and JP) independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed them for risk of bias. Meta‐analysis was not possible, so included studies were synthesised in table and text.
Main results
From a total of 2865 studies identified in the search, two met our eligibility criteria, both of which were cluster‐RCTs conducted in rural China. The way in which the trials were conducted means that the risk of bias is unclear. In both studies, villages were randomised to be either an intervention or control group. Adults identified with vision‐impairing cataract, following village‐based vision and eye health assessment, either received an intervention to increase uptake of cataract surgery (if their village was an intervention group), or to receive 'standard care' (if their village was a control group).
One study (n = 434), randomly allocated 26 villages or townships to the intervention, which involved watching an informational video and receiving counselling about cataract and cataract surgery, while the control group were advised that they had decreased vision due to cataract and it could be treated, without being shown the video or receiving counselling. There was low‐certainty evidence that providing information and counselling had no effect on uptake of referral to the hospital (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.67, 1 RCT, 434 participants) and little or no effect on the uptake of surgery (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.84, 1 RCT, 434 participants). We assessed the level of evidence to be of low‐certainty for both outcomes, due to indirectness of evidence and imprecision of results.
The other study (n = 355, 24 towns randomised) included three intervention arms: free surgery; free surgery plus reimbursement of transport costs; and free surgery plus free transport to and from the hospital. These were compared to the control group, which was reminded to use the "low‐cost" (˜USD 38) surgical service. There was low‐certainty evidence that surgical fee waiver with/without transport provision or reimbursement increased uptake of surgery (RR 1.94, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.31, 1 RCT, 355 participants). We assessed the level of evidence to be of low‐certainty due to indirectness of evidence and imprecision of results.
Neither of the studies reported our primary outcome of change in prevalence of cataract blindness, or other outcomes such as cataract surgical coverage, surgical outcome, or adverse effects. Neither study disaggregated outcomes by social subgroups to enable further assessment of equity effects. We sought data from both studies and obtained data from one; the information video and counselling intervention did not have a differential effect across the PROGRESS‐Plus categories with available data (place of residence, gender, education level, socioeconomic status and social capital).
Authors' conclusions
Current evidence on the effect on equity of interventions to improve access to cataract services in LMICs is limited. We identified only two studies, both conducted in rural China. Assessment of equity effects will be improved if future studies disaggregate outcomes by relevant social subgroups. To assist with assessing generalisability of findings to other settings, robust data on contextual factors are also needed.
PICOs
Plain language summary
Interventions to improve access to cataract surgical services and their impact on equity in low‐ and middle‐income countries
What is the aim of this review?
The aim of this Cochrane Review was to find out if there are ways to make it easier for people in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) to have cataract surgery, and to make cataract surgery available fairly (no inequity) within LMICs.
Cochrane researchers collected and analysed all relevant studies to answer this question and found two studies.
Key messages
The review shows that offering free surgery may increase uptake of surgery in LMICs. There is no evidence on whether this might reduce the level of sight loss due to cataract in the community, or whether this helps reduce inequity (makes things fairer). Help with transport, additional information or counselling may not improve uptake, again with no evidence on levels of cataract blindness or inequity. The evidence was from two small studies in rural China.
What was studied in the review?
As people get older, the lens of the eye becomes cloudy leading to sight loss and blindness. The cloudy lens is known as a cataract. Doctors can remove the cataract and replace it with an artificial lens. This is usually successful surgery and restores sight.
Cataract surgery is distributed unfairly in the world. More people in LMICs have cataracts that cause sight loss and blindness because it is harder to get cataract surgery. When some people have less chance of good health care, such as cataract surgery, this is known as inequity. There is also inequity within LMICs as poorer people and women also have less chance of having cataract surgery.
To address this problem, Cochrane researchers wanted to find out if there are ways to improve the chances of getting cataract surgery in LMICs and so lower the burden of cataract. They also wanted to see if this makes it fairer (less inequity) and helps everyone to get an equal chance to have cataract surgery. They planned to consider many different aspects including acceptability, affordability and availability of cataract services.
What are the main results of the review?
The Cochrane researchers found two relevant studies. Both studies were from China and took place in a rural area. One study gave people additional information and counselling and compared this with giving no additional information or counselling. The other study looked at providing free cataract surgery, and help with the costs of transport to hospital, compared with low‐cost cataract surgery and no help with transport. The findings were as follows.
• Offering more information or counselling may not improve referral and uptake of surgery (low‐certainty evidence).
• Offering free cataract surgery may increase the uptake of surgery (low‐certainty evidence).
• There was no evidence on what happens to the levels of cataract in the community.
How up‐to‐date is this review?
The Cochrane researchers searched for studies that had been published up to 12 April 2017.
