Godwin Ovenseri-Ogbomo

University of the Highlands and Islands | UHI

Abstract Purpose Knowledge, positive attitude and good preventive practices are keys to successful myopia control, but information on these is lacking in Africa. This study determined the KAP on myopia in Ghana. Methods This was a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted among adults (aged 18 years and older) living across 16 regions of Gh...

Background Ghana and Nigeria are the two countries in Africa that currently run the Doctor of Optometry (OD) program in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Optometrists in these countries are licensed to provide glaucoma care. Despite the clinically relevant practice guidelines for glaucoma, there is no data on the practice patterns for glaucoma eye care in...

This study aims to evaluate the acceptance and risk perception of pregnant and non pregnant women towards COVID-19 vaccines using a cross-sectional matched-sample study approach. A web-based questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions was administered to adults older than 18 years in the sub–Saharan African (SSA) region. Respondents (n = 13...

Background The COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across all the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, with countries setting targets for achieving full vaccination rates. The aim of this study was to compare the uptake of, resistance and hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine between SSA locally residents and in the diasporan dwellers. Methods This...

Background Vaccination remains the most powerful weapon against the emergence of new variants of coronavirus (COVID-19). However, false information about COVID-19 vaccines through various platforms including social media remains a major threat to global public health. This study examined the impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitan...

Importance Despite persistent inequalities in access to eye care services globally, guidance on a set of recommended, evidence-based eye care interventions to support country health care planning has not been available. To overcome this barrier, the World Health Organization (WHO) Package of Eye Care Interventions (PECI) has been developed. Object...

This paper discusses multidisciplinary international research collaboration team formation during the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges faced, strategies adopted, achievements and dynamics in the implementation of research on Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), by the African Translational Research Group (ATReG). The paper also discusses the lessons l...

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has caused a universal health crisis resulting in significant morbidities and mortalities particularly among high-risk groups. This study sought to determine regional factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 mitigation practices and risk perception of contracting the dis...

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with severe COVID-19 infection and complications. This study assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in diabetes and explored reasons for nonvaccinating. This was a web-based cross-sectional survey using a mixed-method approach conducted between March-May 2021 corresponding to most SSA countries' earl...

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with severe COVID-19 infection and complications. This study assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in diabetes and explored reasons for nonvaccinating. A web-based cross-sectional survey using a mixed method approach was distributed to participants aged ≥18 years with self-reported DM in 11 Sub-Saha...

Background: The COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across all the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, with countries setting targets for achieving full vaccination rates. The aim of this study was to compare the uptake of, resistance and hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine between SSA locally residents and in the diaspora. Methods: This was a cro...

Purpose There remains a lack of information on the perception and adoption of myopia control strategies among African eye care practitioners (ECPs). This study provides an African perspective to similar previous studies conducted in other parts of the world. Methods A self-administered survey in English and French was distributed to ECPs across Af...

The COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across all the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, with countries setting targets for achieving full vaccination rates. The aim of this study was to compare the uptake of, resistance and hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine between SSA locally residents and in the diaspora. This was a cross-sectional study co...

Background Vaccination remains the most powerful weapon against the emergence of new variants of coronavirus (COVID-19). However, false information about COVID-19 vaccines through various platforms including social media remain a major threat to global public health. The study examined the impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy...

Objectives To systematically review all current studies on diabetes risk assessment tools used in SSA to diagnose diabetes in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Methods Tools were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, Ovid, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library for articles published from January 2010 to January 2020. The search...

Background: The unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) drastically spread worldwide, resulting in extraordinary measures put in place in various countries including Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Objective: To assess the factors associated with compliance with the public health measures imposed by various SSA countries. M...

Purpose To address the human resources challenge for the provision of low vision services in Saudi Arabia, this study sought to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of optometrists in Saudi Arabia regarding low vision services. The knowledge and attitudes to low vision services can influence the provision of low vision services by op...

Purpose: The key preventive measures adopted to minimise the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) had significant health, economic and physical impacts mostly in developing countries. This study evaluated the health, economic and physical impacts of COVID-19 lockdown measures among sub-Saharan African (SSA) population and associated demogr...

This study investigated risk perception of contracting and dying of SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Sahara Africa during and after the lockdown periods. Two online surveys were conducted one year apart, with participants 18 years and above living in sub-Sahara Africa or the diaspora. Each survey took four weeks. The first survey was taken from 18 April to 16 May...

BACKGROUND: The mortality rate due to road traffic accidents (RTA) is significantly high in Saudi Arabia (SA) compared to other countries. The visual function which includes good visual acuity (VA) and binocular vision are very important factors that can contribute to the incidence of RTA. AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the associatio...

Background: Perceived risk towards the coronavirus pandemic is key to improved compliance with public health measures to reduce the infection rates. This study investigated how Sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) living in their respective countries and those in the diaspora perceive their risk of getting infected by the COVID-19 virus as well as the assoc...

Background: Visual impairment is disproportionately distributed between rural and urban dwellers. Rural dwellers have limited access to the eye care services that are available in urban cities. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in Dariyah, a rural community in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia...

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and associated high mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, there is panic amongst healthcare workers because of the higher risk of being infected. This study compared knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) and examined common associated f...

As the search for effective treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection continues, the public opinion around the potential use of chloroquine (CQ) in treating COVID-19 remains mixed. While the Western world panic-shopped for groceries and consumables, Africans stored some important medications like Chloroquine which were promoted t...

Background Perceived risk towards the coronavirus pandemic is a key to improved compliance with public health measures to reduce the infection. This study investigated how Sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) living in their respective countries and those in the diaspora perceive their risk of COVID-19 outbreak and the factors associated. Methods A web-bas...

Misinformation about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a significant threat to global public health because it can inadvertently exacerbate public health challenges by promoting spread of the disease. This study used a convenience sampling technique to examine factors associated with misinformation about COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa using an...

Mental health and emotional responses to the effects of COVID-19 lockdown in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are of serious public health concern and may negatively affect the mental health status of people. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as emotional reactions among sub-Saharan Africans (SSAs) and associated f...

Mental health and emotional responses to the effects of COVID-19 lockdown in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are of serious public health concern and may negatively affect the mental health status of people. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as emotional reactions among sub-Saharan Africans (SSAs) and associated f...

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created a global public health crisis and non-compliance with public health measures to contain the infection poses a challenge to Sub-Saharan African governments. This study investigated the associations between compliance and public opinion on COVID-19 public health containment measur...

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) bas created a global public health crisis and non-compliance with public health measures to contain the infection poses a challenge to Sub-Saharan African governments. This study investigated the associations between compliance and public opinion on COVID-19 public health containment measur...

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created a global public health crisis and non-compliance with public health measures to contain the infection poses a challenge to Sub-Saharan African governments. This study investigated the associations between compliance and public opinion on COVID-19 public health containment measur...

Background: Following the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of exposure to infection. This study was designed to assess the awareness, perception, and prac-tices toward COVID-19 infection and disease among HCWs in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducte...

Background Globally, the conspiracy theory claiming 5G technology can spread the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is making the rounds on social media and this could have a significant effect in tackling the spread of the pandemic. This study investigated the impact of the myth that 5G technology is linked to COVID-19 pandemic among sub-Saharan Afric...

The aim of this study was to explore knowledge, practice of risk and guidelines of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) infection among the eye care practitioners and the potential associated factors. A cross-sectional self-administered online survey was distributed via emails and social media networks between 2nd and 18th May 2020 correspondi...

Background: Contact lenses are gaining popularity in developing countries as an alternative to spectacles for the correction of refractive errors. It is needful, therefore, to generate information to guide the mode of practice, and assist the industry in developing products for the increasing contact-lenses-user population. The purpose of this stud...

Down syndrome (DS) or Down's syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a gene�c disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is the most common chromosomal abnormality in humans 1 , occurring in about 1 per 1000 babies born each year. The incidence is es�mated to be about 1 in 600 live births 2. It occurs in peop...

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder and many with the condition tend to be more at risk of several ocular disorders than those without Down syndrome. The study was aimed at assessing the distribution of refractive errors in children with Down syndrome between 5-18 years of age. The cross-sectional study used data from 104 children...

This study was undertaken to determine the relationship among age, amplitude of accommodation (AA) and near additional power in Nigerian adults. A cross sectional study was undertaken in 297 adults comprising 153 (53.3%) males and 139 females and aged 33 - 89 years. Amplitude of accommodation was measured using the push-up method and the near addit...

Background: There is no consensus on the precise method of measuring amplitude of accommodation (AA) in routine clinical examination. In addition, studies have queried the use of Hofstetter’s equation for computing the expected AA for different populations. This study was designed to compare four subjective methods of AA measurement in children and...

Referrals from primary care practitioners such as optometrists to other health care providers is critical to the health care delivery system of any society. This study explores the pattern of referrals of Nigerian optometrists with respect to glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. A cross-sectional survey using a 28-item questionnaire was administered...

Purpose: Amplitude of accommodation varies with race and ethnicity and Hofstetter's equations are commonly used in Nigeria to calculate expected amplitude of accommodation for clinical purposes. The aim of this study was to present normative values for amplitude of accommodation for Nigerian children and to compare the measured values with those c...

Background: Since the development of the computer and the evolution of the internet, information communication technology (ICT) has had a positive impact on health care delivery systems worldwide, particularly in the areas of disease control. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of utilization of ICT in eye care services,...

Patients’ perspectives on the impact of clinical interventions have been recognised as critical elements in patient care. Quality-of-life instruments are designed to measure these perspectives. We used the National Eye Institute’s 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ) to measure the impact of optical low vision devices on the quality of l...

Purpose: The study was designed to determine the prevalence of vergence dysfunctions among first year university students in Nigeria and to document the measures that define the vergence system of the visual system. Methods: A cross-sectional study of first year students of the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria, who presented for the mand...

The prevalence of visual impairment (VI) and blindness in Africa is one of the highest in the world; a large proportion of the causes are preventable. The prevalence is particularly high in rural and remote areas, where many of the continent’s inhabitants live. This is of great concern because of the low number and poor distribution of primary eye...

Accommodation is the process by which the human eye changes its focus to see objects at varying distances from the eye. For nearly 300 years, scientists have investigated and presented various views on the mechanism of accommodation. The purpose of this review is to present both the historical and contemporary theories that underpin the process of...

Students as end-users of teaching and training activities are important stakeholders in effective teaching. Their opinion and perceptions are important for assessment of the quality of teaching and the learning environment. The perception of the optometry program at the University of Benin was investigated. A cross-sectional survey using structured...

Low vision care is an area of eye care that has received little attention in Nigeria. Several reasons have been adduced for this poor interest in the practice of low vision care is that the process of examining the low vision patient is difficult and it involves extensive mathematical computations. This paper presents a brief overview of the low vi...

Background: Visual impairment and blindness due to ocular diseases are significant public health problems in developing countries, including Nigeria. Evidence suggests that poor uptake of available eye care services by potential beneficiaries is a major barrier to attaining universal access to eye care services. Objectives: To determine the factors...

Caffeine, probably the most widely consumed psychoactive substance, is claimed to have conflicting effects on some tear film dynamics. This study sought to investigate the effect of orally ingested caffeine on tear secretion. In an examiner-masked, placebo-controlled, crossover experimental model, the effect of caffeine intake on tear secretion was...

Diabetes mellitus is a significant cause of visual impairment, hence adequate knowledge on this condition and its ocular manifestations is of immense importance to diabetic patients. To assess the knowledge of diabetic patients on the disorder and its ocular manifestations, and their attitude towards ocular examinations. A cross-sectional survey in...

The scourge of global blindness continues to be a concern for eye care professionals, International Non-governmental Development Organizations (INGDOs) and eye care workers. While emphasis has been placed on how to address this scourge in the general population, not much is being done among special needs group such as the deaf and hearing impaired....

Because mining is an important industrial sector in many parts of the world, substantial progress has been made in the control of occupational health hazards associated with it. However, there are possibilities for further risk reduction. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Goldfields (Gh.) Ltd., Tarkwa to find out the prevalence of self repor...

The focus of this study was to evaluate the visual status of mine workers who were directly involved in mining and/or are exposed to the mining environment. A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted. Four hundred and six (406) workers were conveniently sampled for the study. Information on their socio-demographic data was also collected....

Deficient amplitude of accommodation is the most frequently used criteria in an optometric practice in diagnosing whether a patient has accommodative insufficiency. This deficiency is determined based on an age-related expected finding calculated using Hofstetter's equation derived from Donder's and Duane's data. The aim of the present study was to...

Many authors have reported on the evolution and trends of optometric education in Africa. Amongst these are articles on Optometry and optometric ed-ucation in Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, South Af-rica, Ghana, and Ethiopia. This article reports the historical perspectives of optometric education in Ghana and the developments that have been made in...

Objective: To investigate the pattern of eye care utilisation and the knowledge of eye care services and personnel among slum dwellers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting: Structured questionnaire was administered to each participant by trained interviewers using the local language were it is evi...

To determine the relationship between poor vision and occurrence of road traffic accidents (RTAs) and the barriers to uptake of refractive error services among commercial drivers in the Cape Coast Municipality of Ghana. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted involving commercial drivers in the municipality. Participants underwent an eye...

Background: While pro-poor economic activities have provided employment to poor and vulnerable groups in a number of African countries, some of the activities expose those involved to occupational hazards but these hazards are rarely discussed. One of such activities is oil palm kernel processing with its associated exposure to heat with consequenc...

Refractive errors affect the whole spectrumof the population without regard to age, gender, race and ethnic group. Uncorrected refractive errors have severe consequences for the individual, family and society.Records showthat no study documenting the distribution of refractive errors in Bayelsa State had been carried out. Records of patients who pr...

Refractive errors affect the whole spectrum of the population without regard to age, gender, race and ethnic group. Uncorrected refractive errors have severe consequences for the individual, family and society.Records showthat no study documenting the distribution of refractive errors in Bayelsa State had been carried out. Records of patients who p...

Abstract: Uncorrected refractive errors continue to remain a public health problem among different population groups. Among school children, it has a considerable impact on learning and academic achievement especially in under-served and under-resourced communities. There is a dearth of information about the magnitude of the problem in Ghana. A sch...