Utilization of eye care services and Associated health-seeking behaviors Among Malawian adults; A secondary analysis of the Malawi Fifth Integrated Household Survey (IHS) 2019-2020
ABSTRACT
Background:
Utilization of eye care services varies among different population groups.
Objective:
The study aimed to assess self-reported Eye Care Utilization (ECU) and associated demographic factors among Malawian adults. Methods
Methods:
This study utilized secondary data from the Malawi Integrated Health Survey (IHS) 5 2019-2020. The study included 27336 adults aged 15 years and above. We entered age, sex, level of education, residency(urban/rural), and chronic disease into a logistic regression model and used a confusion matrix to predict the accuracy of the model. The value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
About 60.6% (95% CI [60.0,61.2]) of those with eye problems accessed formal care two weeks before the survey date. A logistic regression model showed that ECU was positively associated with education compared to none (OR=3.6, 95 % CI [3.104-4.097], p<0.001, (OR =6.6), CI [5.927,7.366], p<0.001), male gender compared to females (OR= 1.2,95% CI [1.104,1.290], p<0.001), urban residence compared to rural areas (OR= 1.2, 95% CI[1.118,1.375], p<0.001). But It was negatively associated with age compared to young adults, middle age (OR =7.5, 95% CI [6.782,8.476], p<0.001), older age (OR=0.9, 95 % CI[0.866,1.035], p<0.001), and having chronic diseases (OR=0.6, 95 % CI= [0.547,0.708],p<0.001). The model was statistically significant and correctly classified 72 % of the cases
Conclusions:
Social support, women empowerment, education, and mobile clinics are key strategic areas that would increase Access to eye care in Malawi. Further studies can investigate ECU among the pediatric population.
Citation
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