Prevalence of utilization of eye care services and associated factors

INTRODUCTION:  Visual acuity loss is a problem of high prevalence that often has a negative impact on quality of life implying even in occupational, economic and social constraints. This study investigates the prevalence of use of eye care services and the association of demographic, socioeconomic, health needs factors and access to eye health services.

METHODS: Cross-sectional population-based study in 2.960 adults aged 20 or older living in the urban area of Pelotas - Rio Grande do Sul. Data collection was conducted from October 2007 to January 2008 through a multistage sampling process. Poisson regression was used to investigate factors associated with the outcome, controlling for possible confounding factors.

RESULTS:  In the last 5 years, 46% of the sample and 30% of those aged 50 and older, did not visit an eye care service. From the persons who used a service, 18% went to an optical store, and only 17% visited the public health system. The main reason to use eye care services was poor vision (69,5%). Lack of money (29%) and time (24,6%) were the most frequent reasons for non-utilization. Age, education and economic level were directly associated with use of eye care service in the last 5 years. Female gender, diagnoses of cataract or glaucoma and wear spectacles, as well as, visit a private service, were also positively associated with the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS:  It is necessary to increase the participation of the public health system, integrating the ocular health to all levels of health care, enlarging the participation other health professionals else then the ophthalmologists and intensifying the eye problems screening and prevention.