Jornal de Oftalmologia Clínica e Experimental
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The Self-Expressed Needs for Sudanese Patients with Senile Cataract

Hiba Mohammed Elawad and Mohammed Elhassan Ali Elawad

Old people in Sudan are greatly influenced by the economic situation; the impact of poverty, illiteracy, poor health, nutritional status and most importantly lack of health care programs, professional and supportive services.
 
Aims: To estimate the level of awareness of rights and supportive services among the elderly population; to address the self-expressed needs for elderly patients with senile cataract in Sudan; and to identify the current available programs supporting elderly people and highlight their activities.
 
Methods: Cross-sectional, hospital based study was conducted in Makkah Eye Complex located in Khartoum Alryad; in period (October 2009-March 2010). Elderly patients (100 pre-operative cases were asked to participate in the study. Participation was entirely voluntary. Information was collected by means of interviews, questionnaires, observation and clinical assessment. The data were analyzed using SPAW Statistics-18 (2010) a modified version of SPSS.
 
Results: The research results revealed that there was a shortage about older people education and knowledge about their rights (UN Principle) two-thirds of the patients (67%) were unaware of their rights, 53% (more than half) of the patients had never been treated by eye specialist; however, 47% had been treated. Ninety seven percent had received no help from supportive services or government, only 3% had received help from non-governmental organizations. Knowledge of supportive services exists; but varies considerably.
 
Conclusions: Lack of awareness of rights, supportive services, and the importance of having eye examination was partially due to illiteracy and partially due to low priority at governmental levels. Awareness and availability of services alone is insufficient without having accessibility to it.