Evaluation of Bachelor of Science degree training in comprehensive ophthalmology and cataract surgery for clinical officers in Kenya with Focus on 2030 in Sight

Introduction: Adaptation of Universal Health Coverage signals the Kenyan government’s commitment to ensure that Kenyans have access to quality, available and affordable health services. Cataract and uncorrected refractive error are the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment. Effective interventions exist for both eye challenges and capacity building by training more human resource is a step towards realization of vision 2030 in sight. 

Objectives: To assess professional and academic growth, graduates contribution against reversible blindness and evaluating impact of BSc. Comprehensive ophthalmology and cataract surgery graduates in eye health with focus on vision 2030 in sight.

 Methods: There was use of Descriptive cross sectional study design and data was collected via an online questionnaire. Study targeted clinical officers possessing qualification in BSc. comprehensive ophthalmology and cataract surgery. Census method was used on the 99 graduates of the program. Intention to use data for research was made aware to the participants. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and presented using visualization techniques in frequencies, mean, mode and proportions. 

Results: A response rate of 100% was attained; there were more males (52.5%) than females (47.5%), the modal age group was 31 to 40 years. Post-graduation, 17.2% of participants proceeded to undertake Master’s degree and 20.8% reported promotion at work place. About 77.8% are competent cataract surgeons and Phacoemulsification (27.3%) was the most preferred ophthalmology sub specialization with 65.7% favoring Master degree as the most desired academic progression path against 26.3% preferring to undertake 3 to 6 months sub specialty trainings in ophthalmology. With availability of resources, 95% of the graduates were willing to work at primary health level but the graduates’ distribution was more in urban centers .Majority (59.6%) were employed by the county governments, 42.4% were involved in some form of management. Small Incision cataract surgery (SICS) technique was the most practiced by 90.9% of surgeons. Poor resource allocation to eye departments was the commonest (51%) barrier to eye service delivery. 

Conclusions: Open up academic avenues for BSc.COCS graduates by starting masters programs and short trainings in ophthalmology. Government to sponsor more clinical officers to the program for rural population. Organize workshop for BSc.COCS graduates to equip them on research skills.