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Factors Influencing the Effective Cataract Surgery Coverage in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older
32 Pages Posted: 11 Jun 2024
More...Abstract
Background: Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and surgery is key to effectively addressing this problem. Effective cataract surgery coverage (eCSC) is an ideal index not only for monitoring the use and quality of surgery worldwide, but also for promoting eye health services and overall universal health coverage (UHC). Identifying the impact factors of eCSC is essential for improving the quality of services.The study aimed to evaluate the main indicators affecting eCSC through a cross-sectional epidemiological survey.
Method: The eCSC was defined and estimated in this study to be the population that underwent cataract surgery and achieved a good outcome (6/12). Along with socioeconomic status, geographical location, and other sociodemographic characteristics, cataract status was investigated in the Fujian Eye Study (FJES), a cross-sectional epidemiologic survey among 8211 urban and rural adults older than 50 years in China. The differences in the rate of cataract surgery were analyzed according to the above groups, and multivariate analysis was conducted to analyze the potential factors related to eCSC.
Findings: The eCSC estimates according to the 6/12, 6/18, and 6/60 thresholds were 34.7%, 51%, and 92.6%, respectively, in this study. Univariate analysis revealed that eCSC levels were higher among men than among women (38.5% vs. 31.9%, P = 0.046). Residents with higher educational levels had greater eCSC (P = 0.005). The eCSC was higher among high-income residents (51.6%) compared to low-income residents (29.6%, P = 0.046). Residents with a history of alcohol consumption had a greater incidence of cataracts (51.6% vs. 29.6%, P = 0.005). Predictors of increasing eCSC were identified using multivariate linear regression. Age and education were associated with eCSC in the analysis (P<0.05). Hypertension, smoking, and urbanization were not significantly correlated with eCSC.
Interpretation: Age-differentiated surgery and educational improvement are the most important factors should to be emphasized for the improvement of eCSC. Gender represents a noteworthy dimension that demands careful consideration.
Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China (81870672); Natural Science Foundation of Fujian province (2023J011584); Natural Science Foundation of Ningde Municipality (202122J01).
Declaration of Interest: We declare no competing interests.
Keywords: Epidemiology, Effective cataract surgery coverage, Influence factors, Cataract, Adults, China
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation