Gender bias within a diabetic retinopathy screening programme in Tanzania

The Kilimanjaro Diabetic Programme has been running since 2010 and screens persons with diabetes for diabetic retinopathy (DR). It was noted that women were less likely to attend follow-up appointments compared to men. The aim of this study was to explore gender biases amongst persons registered with the screening programme.

A prospective mixed-methods study was carried out using a questionnaire of closed-ended questions and a semi-structured interview guide.

Of the 300 participants included in the quantitative component of the study, 193 (64.3%) were female and 107 (35.7%) were male. Females were significantly less educated (p < 0.001) and self-reported as less likely to attend the tertiary hospital if referred (p = 0.022). Of the married participants, on multivariate analysis, men were significantly more likely to make both financial decisions in the household (p = 0.001) and to decide if, and when, family members should attend hospital compared to women (p = 0.0048), independent of age, education level and whether they were from an urban or rural area. Qualitative analysis of the 33 interviews revealed a good understanding of the threat to vision from DR, but limited appreciation of disease chronicity. A common theme was that men are regarded as the head of the household and therefore make the financial decisions; this was especially true in less educated families.

As screening and treatment facilities for DR are developed in SSA, it is important that strategies are employed to reduce the burden of blindness and visual impairment from the under-utilisation of diabetic eye care services by women.