THE ROLE OF PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN THE FORMATION OF REGIONAL STRATEGIES FOR THE PREVENTION OF OPHTHALMIC INJURIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2786-7684/2026-1-19Keywords:
public health, ophthalmic injuries, prevention, regional strategies, institutional interactionAbstract
Introduction. In the current context of healthcare reform, the role of public health institutions, which shape policy, coordinate interagency interaction, and provide an evidence-based basis for making management decisions, is of particular importance. Purpose. The purpose of the study was to assess the institutional determinants that influence the formation and effectiveness of regional ocular trauma prevention strategies. Specifically, the study aimed to identify which organizational, regulatory, and collaborative mechanisms within public health institutions contribute most significantly to decreasing ocular trauma incidence and enhancing the sustainability of preventive activities. Materials and methods. A modeling of the functioning of the public health system in five regions of Ukraine, which differed in the level of institutional capacity, was conducted. Epidemiological analysis, content analysis of regulatory documents, and assessment of the human and organizational potential of public health centers were used. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and clustering techniques. The study was conducted on generalized data in compliance with ethical requirements. Statistical modeling confirmed the significance of integrated approaches in forming strategies for preventing ophthalmic trauma, as recommended by the WHO. Results. It has been established that individual regions with high institutional capacity demonstrate 27% lower rates of ophthalmic trauma. The effectiveness of prevention is attributed to the presence of regional programs that provide specialized medical care, systematic monitoring of eye injury risks, and intersectoral collaboration among education, labor protection, and local government bodies. and the corresponding human resources potential of public health centers. Conclusions. Public health institutions play a crucial role in developing regional strategies for preventing eye injuries. Strengthening their institutional capacity and fostering intersectoral cooperation aims to ensure the sustainability of preventive measures and reduce the level of injuries.
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