Accuracy of Trained Community-based Rehabilitation Volunteers in Identification and Appropriate Referral of Adults with Perceived Visual Disability in an Urban-slum Setting in Southern India.

Purpose: The integration of primary eyecare into existing primary healthcare systems requires simple yet effective tools that do not overburden the grass-root level worker. The objective of this study was to test the accuracy of a questionnaire-based tool administered by trained community-based rehabilitation volunteers (CBRVs) in identifying persons with visual disability, proportions accessing referral pathway and barriers to uptake of eyecare services.

Methods: CBRVs working in the urban-slum service area of a teaching hospital were trained in administering a questionnaire-based tool derived from the World Health Organization (WHO) "Training in the community for people with disabilities" to a responsible adult member of the household.