title: Factors associated with subsequent eye care for children in Taiwan: a population-based historical cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate patterns and factors associated with subsequent eye care for Taiwan's children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a population-based historical cohort study of 2464 children aged between 3 and 12 years old from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Participants' ocular conditions were identified based on 2005 NHIS questionnaire answers given by caregivers. Subsequent eye care data was obtained from 2006 and 2007 National Health Insurance claim data. Eye care related to these children's ocular conditions was defined by physician's diagnosis using the International Classification of Diseases version 9 clinical modification codes. Poisson regression with robust variance estimation was used to determine factors associated with eye care use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 2464 children, 712 (28.9%) had ocular conditions in 2005, and 56.5% and 44.7% of them didn't receive eye care during the subsequent 1- and 2-year periods, respectively. Among those with ocular conditions, the 3-4-year-olds were least likely to receive eye care in the subsequent 1 and 2 years. Children with highly educated fathers were more likely to receive eye care in the subsequent 1-year period. Sex, family income, level of mother's education, residential area and eye care resources were not significant factors for children with ocular conditions receiving subsequent eye care within either 1 or 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the fact that Taiwan has a National Health Insurance Program, lack of subsequent eye care remains high, even when a child's ocular condition is known by the caregiver. Determinants associated with follow-up eye care must be considered when designing eye care enhancing programs for children.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Yiing-Jenq
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Chieh-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.forename: Pi-Jung
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hsiao-Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Pesus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan