Abstract
Abstract: :
Background: Vision problems are prevalent among low–income population who is vulnerable to high morbidity and barriers to services. More than two–thirds of the low–income population resides in public housing. However, there is limited research on vision problems among residents of public housing. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of vision problems and barriers to vision care among residents of public housing. Methods: We analyzed data from a cross–sectional survey, which employed a stratified random sample of heads of households at three public housing communities at Los Angeles, California. Results: Of the 287 participants, 139 (48%) had vision problems diagnosed by a physician. More than half of those with vision problems (57%) reported having limitation of activity due to these problems. Hispanics and African Americans had higher prevalence of vision problems compared to Whites (56%, 31% and 13% respectively, p<0.05). Vision problems were more prevalent among older residents (62%) compared to younger residents (38%) (p<0.05). Most of those with vision problems were in the non–working group (84%) and had household income of <$10,000/year (77%). Co–morbidity of diabetes, hypertension and depression were more likely among those with vision problems relative to those without it (OR=3.1, 4.0 and 5.5 respectively, p<0.05). Subjects with vision problems (71%) were more likely to perceive their health status as fair/poor compared to those without it (40%) (OR=3.6, p<0.001). Most of the subjects with vision problems (89%) reported that they instructed by a doctor to get eye examination and only 59% received this examination in the past 12 months. Although 77% of those with vision problems reported having vision care coverage, however, 21% of those who had vision insurance reported that, a co–payment is required. About one–third of those with vision problems (31%) reported inability to get eyeglasses because of financial problems. Reported difficulty in access to transportation when needed was higher among those with vision problems (53%) compared to those without it (41%) (p<0.05). Reported difficulty in receiving assistance in transportation was more prevalent among those with vision problems (43%) compared to those without it (39%). Conclusions: Our study showed that vision problems and co–morbidity were high among minority residents of public housing. Barriers to preventive services and unmet needs were documented among this population. Comprehensive vision related services and planned interventions are needed to improve vision health status in this underserved population.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower