Common blinding eye diseases in Kibaha district of Tanzania - how are they perceived by the people?

An exploratory study among 440 adult men and women over 25 years of age was carried out in Kibaha District of the Coast region in Tanzania during May and June 2002. The study sought to find out the perceptions of the people on common blinding eye diseases especially trachoma and cataract. The mean age was 46 years. There was a slightly higher proportion (53.3%) of females. The respondents had different levels of educational attainments. Less than half the respondents mentioned trachoma and cataract as eye problems in their community. Even fewer considered these to be blinding. The people had a much clearer understanding of trachoma than cataract. They believed these conditions have natural and supernatural causes. The majority believed blindness due to trachoma and cataract can be prevented. Main methods included early treatment of the conditions (by medicines from hospital or traditional healer) and washing face daily. The majority believed blinding trachoma and cataract can be treated, mainly by Western medicines. Few believed surgery can cure cataract blindness. The people donot appear to clearly recognize the gender component of eye diseases. However, among the few who believed gender affects chances of getting, preventing or treating eye diseases, females were perceived to have greater chances of acquiring them. Females were believed to have a lesser chance, though, of preventing or treating them. Various reasons were mentioned. Decision making in preventing or treatment seeking for eye diseases was mainly the domain of the male/ head of the household. Decisions on water use for routine domestic purposes were upon the female, but her authority declined when way of water use was to be changed for the purpose of preventing eye diseases. Decision making gender roles in the communities could be threats to equity in prevention and treatment of blinding eye diseases. A number of recommendations to researchers and project planners/ managers have been made.