If Late, then Never or Not likely: Uptake of Orientation and Mobility Rehabilitation Training (OMRT) Among Visually Impaired Older Adults

Background: Visually impaired people have challenges with outdoor mobility, which underscores the need for orientation and mobility rehabilitation training (OMRT). However, awareness and uptake of OMRT among blind people remain very low in Nigeria. The study investigated the association of demographic, physical, and visual impairment-related variables with awareness and uptake of orientation and mobility rehabilitation training (OMRT) in Nigeria

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 361 visually impaired people aged 60 years and over, with best-corrected visual acuity ≤ 20/80 (0.6 LogMAR). The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to assess the risks of falling. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse predictors of awareness and uptake of OMRT

Results: Only 26.88% of those who were aware of OMRT reported accessing Orientation and mobility rehabilitation training (OMRT). The duration of visual impairment (p=0.016), awareness of the cause of Low Vision (p=0.043), and being at the risk of falls (p < 0.001), were significantly associated with taking-up OMRT.

Conclusion: Prolonged delays in referrals for OMRT are a potential cause of apathy towards the uptake of OMRT.