Demographic Characteristics of Respondents
The mean age and standard deviation of the 39 respondents was 26.4 ± 4.3 years (25 to 34 years). The respondents had practised for an average of 2.2 ± 5.3 years (range 1–10 years) after their optometry aschool graduation. Majority 94.7% of the participants were living in Kenya. There was an association between the number of years after graduation and country of residence of the respondents (t-test, p = 0.26). based on level of education, 64% had a diploma, 32% had a bachelor and 4% had earned master degree. Majority of the respondents had graduated from Masinde Muliro University. Most respondents were working in private sectors 78.9%, 15.8% in public sector and 5.3% were not practising optometry.
Demographic characteristics of survey respondents.
The optometrists with a diploma were 3.27 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68–4.94) times likely to remain in Kenya compared to those with a bachelor qualification (p = 0.04). The highest degree of qualification was not significantly different between optometrists graduates from Masinde Muliro University and those from Kenya Medical Training College (χ2 = 4.30, p = 0.02). Kenya Medical Training College graduates were 0.24 (95% CI 0.17–0.72) times likely to remain in Kenya compared to those graduates from Masinde Muliro University (p = 0.02). (Table 1.0)
Table 1.0
Demographic characteristics
Female {n (%)}
|
10 (26.3%)
|
Male {n (%)}
|
29(73.7%)
|
25–29 years {n (%)}
|
12 (31.6%)
|
30–34 years {n (%)}
|
17 (68.4%)
|
1–5 years practice {n (%)}
|
27 (68.4%)
|
6–10 years practice {n (%)}
|
12 (31.6%)
|
Reside in Kenya {n (%)}
|
37 (94.7%)
|
Reside outside {n (%)}
|
2 (5.3%)
|
Diploma {n (%)}
|
19 (47.4%)
|
Bachelor {n (%)}
|
12 (31.6%)
|
Masters {n (%)}
|
8 (21.1%)
|
Graduated from KMTC {n (%)}
|
19 (47.4%)
|
Graduated from MMUST {n (%)}
|
20 (52.6%)
|
Working in private sector {n (%)}
|
31 (78.9%)
|
Working in public sector {n (%)}
|
6 (15.8%)
|
Working in other sector {n (%)}
|
2 (5.3%)
|
Summary of the optometrists survey findings.
Optometrists Resistance By Other Cadres
Over a third (52.6%) of the respondents agreed that optometry in kenya still has a long way to be regulated. Based on resistance from other cadres, 57.9% of the respondents agreed that optometrists will continue to receive resistance from other cadres if regulation has not been achieved. Awareness on optometry is still an issue and 78.9% agreed that the general population are still not aware of what is optometry. More than half (63.2%) of the respondents agreed that employers take advantage of optometrists frustrations in kenya. On salary basis, 52.6% of the respondents agreed that they are poorly paid. Lastly on the basis of faculty staffs, 68.4% agreed that optometry teaching institutions have insufficient lecturers and they suggested that graduates from the instututions should be considered to mentor the upcoming optometrists. The situation of optometrists has impacted on the public health and the optometrists were 2.32 (95% CI 0.27–0.42) times ikely to deliver poor services to the public compared to if optometry situation was better in kenya.
Concerns From Optometrists
Thematic analysis resulted into four broad themes: (1) regulation; (2) unity; (3) public health implication and (4) creating public awareness, which consisted of a total of 124 comments. (Table 2.0)
Table 2.0
Major themes on future of optometry
Theme number
|
Major themes
|
Number of coded segments
|
Theme 1
|
There is need for optometry regulation in Kenya
|
47
|
Theme 2
|
Optometrists need to remain united
|
34
|
Theme 3
Theme 4
|
Need for awareness campaign on what is optometry
Public health implication
|
31
17
|
Regulation
About 90% of the respondents expressed concerns about regulation of optometry in kenya. Majority of them said that for optometry to move forward, there is need for regulation and inclusion into the public service:
‘How can we optometrists demand for a better working conditions when we are not regulated?’ (Participant ID23, male)
Many of them were questioning why optometry was introduced in a government institutions when there was no proper plan for the graduates. Many participants said that a scheme of service should be established to incoporate optometrists into public service. Some participants reported that they face it hard to engage the ophthalmic division because the division through members feel insecure on the existance of optometrists. Majority suggested that the executive for the association should engage the ophthalmic division with well articulated documents to support why they should include optometrists into ophthalmic division.
Unity
Nearly all respondents 86% expressed concerns regarding unity among the graduates from both institutions. Majority suggested that all graduates should treat each other as equal regardless of the institution of graduation.
‘How can we claim to be united when optometrists from one institution look down upon their collegues from the other institution?’ (Participant ID33, female)
They highlighted the need to be united and fight for their rights under one united pool.
Public Health Implication
About three quarter of the respondents 91.7% were highly concerned on how the frustration make them not deliver best to the public. Generally the core reason for public health is to ensure that the general population obtain preventive measures for the population. Now in the kenyan context, the frustrations faced by the optometrists has impacted negatively on the delivery of eye care services.
‘As optometrists, it is our role to provide eye care services to the general public based on our scope of training but the status of optometry in kenya has made the worse by making the public our enemy.’ (Participant ID12, male)
Creating Public Awareness
Nearly three quarter 79% of the respondents agreed that optometry is still unknown. ‘Where i work i have to introduce myself as an optician because when a patient ask me who am i and i say optometrist then they will say, why do you complicate yourself, you are an optician?’ (Participant ID09, male). The respondents identified this as a major challenge and they highlighted the need to create public awareness about optometry and who are optometrists.