Psychological empowerment after presbyopia correction: A narrative from Zanzibari women and men

Purpose: To explore the empowerment experiences of Zanzibari craftswomen (n = 19) who received presbyopia correction, as well as perspectives from their husbands (n = 5) and male community leaders (n = 4). Design: Qualitative phenomenological approach Methods: Nineteen craftswomen who received presb...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Christine Graham, Omar Juma Othman, Adam Ali, Eden Mashayo, Ronnie Graham, Fatma Omar, Ving Fai Chan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:AJO International
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950253525000012
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Purpose: To explore the empowerment experiences of Zanzibari craftswomen (n = 19) who received presbyopia correction, as well as perspectives from their husbands (n = 5) and male community leaders (n = 4). Design: Qualitative phenomenological approach Methods: Nineteen craftswomen who received presbyopia correction, five of their husbands and four community leaders were participated in the interviews. Craftswomen participants represented various crafts and locations across Zanzibar (Unguja n = 10, Pemba n = 9), with interviews conducted in Swahili. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, and analysis employed both inductive and deductive thematic techniques. Results: Craftswomen reported that wearing spectacles enhanced their ability to work, increased productivity, and improved confidence and independence. Psychological empowerment (PE) was evident in their decision-making and autonomy, as well as their capacity to support their families financially. Men observed the positive effects of spectacles on the women's self-reliance and community contributions. Participants noted that community attitudes toward wearing glasses were generally supportive, although some stigma persisted. Conclusion: Presbyopia correction through spectacles facilitated significant PE among Zanzibari women, enhancing their independence, confidence, and productivity. A supportive community environment further bolstered empowerment, underscoring the importance of accessible eye care in improving quality of life and well-being. Precis: We explored the empowerment experiences of 19 Zanzibari craftswomen following presbyopia correction, incorporating perspectives from their husbands and community leaders. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews revealed enhanced productivity, independence, confidence, and psychological empowerment among the women. Male participants observed increased self-reliance and community contributions. While community attitudes were supportive, some stigma persisted. This highlights the transformative impact of accessible eye care on women's quality of life and underscore its broader societal benefits.
ISSN:2950-2535