Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Utilization of eye care service is mandatory to reduce burden of visual
impairment (VI) but in many parts of developing world communities are not avail themselves.
The information about prevalence of eye care service utilization and associated factors is
prerequisite for effective eye health promotion and advocacy. But this information is limited in
Ethiopia.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of eye care service utilization and
associated factors among older adults age ? 40 years in Hawassa city, South Ethiopia, June 2019.
Method: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from April 25 to May 30,
2019. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 704 participants. An intervieweradministered
questionnaire
was used to collect the data. The collected data was entered to EPI
info version 7 & was analyzed by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression model was used to
identify actual predictors of eye care service utilization. All variables were entered to
multivariable analysis and variables with p-value < 0.05 were considered as statistically
significant.
Result: A total of 668 adults participated with a response rate of 94.9%. The median (±IQR) age
of study respondents was 48(±10) years and 52.7% were females. The prevalence of eye care
service utilization within the past 2 years was found to be 23.8% (95% CI: 20.5%-27.1%).
Having history of eye disease (AOR=3.99, 95% CI: 2.43-6.57), having awareness of regular eye
checkup importancy(AOR=5.32, 95% CI:2.90–9.77), older age [age ?65 years (AOR=3.14, 95%
CI:1.34–7.33)] and higher family monthly income [income ?6000 ETB (AOR=3.39, 95%
CI:1.72–6.72) and income 4001-5999 ETB (AOR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.05–5.05) were positively
associated with eye care service utilization.
Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of eye care service utilization among older
adults in Hawassa city was low. Having history of eye disease, having awareness about regular
eye checkup importancy, older age and higher family monthly income were significantly
associated with utilization of eye care service. Therefore government is recommended to provide
eye health education for the community to increase eye care service utilization.
Key words: Eye care service, Utilization, Ethiopia, Hawassa
