Submission ID 131522
| Issue/Objective | Integrating school-based deworming and vision screening is a highly cost-effective, successful strategy for improving child health and education. It commonly uses trained teachers to identify visual impairment and deliver deworming medication, reducing absenteeism and boosting cognitive development. Programmes often see high coverage, exceeding 90% in school-based models, and include referral pathways for eyeglasses, The integration of school-based deworming and eye health initiatives aimed to enhance health and educational outcomes for both children and teachers. In counties highly endemic for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), where biannual mass drug administration with Albendazole is recommended, deworming and vision screening were incorporated into existing health and education systems. The project was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, with support from Sightsavers. The aim of the study was to Trained teachers on deworming and vision screening to identify students and teachers with vision impairments. To deworming school age children 5-14 years and conduct eye screenings, referrals for those with visual impairments, distribution of corrective eyeglasses, and community outreach to raise awareness. |
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| Methodology/Approach | The method used was to assess the project's impact on STH control and vision care, an independent evaluation conducted in 2023 used a mixed-methods approach, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a review of project documents. |
| Results | A total of 138 stakeholders and service users from four project counties took part in the evaluation, representing teachers, parents, community leaders, eye care professionals, government officials, and Sightsavers personnel. The initiative achieved notable results: 181,487 school-aged children were screened for vision issues, 280,373 were dewormed, and 2,676 teachers were trained in vision screening. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | In conclusion, the cascade training model-designed to equip education personnel with vision screening skills at national and local levels-shows promise for expansion alongside deworming efforts in other regions, supporting long-term sustainability in controlling STH and improving eye health in Liberia. The study is connected to the conference theme on evidence impact and disease prevention and control measure to create an enabling environment for good vision and healthy lives for students and teachers. Data was collected on phone in collaboration with Liberia Telecommunication Corporation |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Deddeh P.G. Bettee Ministry of Education Catherine Kolleh Gargu Partnership for Research on Infectious Disease in Liberia (PREVAIL) Kerkula Bettee Ministry of Education/ Internal Audit Agency Olivia D. Kokolee Liberia Telecommunication |
