title: Determinants of Eye Care Utilization in Rural South-eastern Nigeria.
abstract: To determine the barriers and incentives to eye care utilization (ECU) in Abagana, a rural south-eastern Nigerian community. The study was a population-based cross-sectional mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) survey of adult inhabitants of Abagana, in July-August, 2011. Data on respondents' socio-demographics, barriers and incentives to ECU were collected, and analysed using descriptive and comparative statistics. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Qualitative data were obtained from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews and analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. The 549 respondents (males 224) were aged 49.8 ± 15.9 SD years (range 18-93 years). Overall, orthodox eye care had ever been sought by 42.4%, and 46.4% of those who reported change in vision. Lack of awareness-31.8%, cost-18.0%, and fatalistic attitudes-15.9% were the main ECU barriers. Possession of health insurance (OR 11.49; 95% CI 4.21-31.34; p = 0.001), family history of eye disorder (OR 3.27, 95% CI 2.03-5.26; p = 0.001), noticed change in vision (OR 11.30; 95% CI 1.42-90.09; p = 0.022), current eye disease (OR 4.06; 95% CI 2.29-7.19; p = 0.001) and systemic co-morbidity (OR 4.33; 95% CI 2.67-7.02; p = 0.001) were the incentives to ECU. To enhance the low ECU in Abagana community, educational interventions on eye health maintenance and eye health seeking behaviours, and measures to reduce eye care cost are recommended.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
authors: O C
authors: OC
authors: Arinze
authors: B I
authors: BI
authors: Eze
authors: N N
authors: NN
authors: Ude
authors: S N
authors: SN
authors: Onwubiko
authors: C N
authors: CN
authors: Ezisi
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Chuka-Okosa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult