Role of socio-economic factors in cataract surgery utilization in JIPMER Pondicherry

• Published in: Indian journal of community medicine Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 51 - 53
• Main Authors: Prasanna, T, Rotti, SB
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 2007; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: and Case-Control Study; Cataract; Health aspects; Medical care; Social classes; Socio-Economic Factors; Surgery; Utilization; India
• ISSN: 0970-0218; 1998-3581
• DOI: 10.4103/0970-0218.53403

Background : This study was conducted in JIPMER & Kurusukuppam, Pondicherry. Objectives : To identify the socioeconomic factors influencing the utilization of cataract surgery & to identify the persons motivating the patients to utilize these services. <b.Methods : This was a case-control study; cases were patients (age group 50-70 years) who were operated in JIPMER for senile cataract without complications and one control was selected for each case. Controls were also of the same age group residing at Kurusukuppam with complaints of dimness of vision and who had not undergone cataract surgery, selected by random sampling. Both the groups were interviewed using a pretested interview schedule. Results : Subjects who were literate and with high school education and more and with income more than Rs.1050 (class III) utilized the cataract surgery services more. In majority of cases, motivation for getting operated comes from relatives. Peer groups who have undergone the surgery before, were the predominant sources of health information about the surgery. <b.Conclusions : Higher income & higher education affect the utilization significantly. Relatives & Previously operated peers play an important role.