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Influence of occupational status on patronage and choice of eye care services
Abstract
Background: Occupational status can be regarded as a proxy variable indicating the socioeconomic status and therefore level of enlightenment and awareness of an individual. This can be reflected in attitude towards and patronage as well as ultimate choice of eye care services. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of occupational status on patronage and choice of eye care services in patients attending a rural outreach eye clinic in Giwa Local government of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Methods: Information was collected using a validated questionnaire, from a total of 357 patients seen over a six month period from January 2002 to June 2002 at a rural outreach eye clinic in Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Results: Significant P-values obtained on comparing the proportions of patients belonging to each occupational group and their patronage and choice of eye care services led to rejection of the null hypothesis that there was no difference in use of services between patients of different occupations. This suggests that type of occupation influences patients patronage of eye care services for western remedies to eye care problems.
Conclusion: It is necessary to identify strategies to overcome lack of awareness as a result of socioeconomic background of the population in the rural areas where eye care services are to be provided in order to provide services to all. These strategies need to be gender sensitive. Further studies in form of randomised controlled educational interventions are necessary to properly assess the success of these strategies.
Keywords: Occupation, rural eye care, choices, gender, interventions
Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol. 7(3&4) 2005: 281-284
Methods: Information was collected using a validated questionnaire, from a total of 357 patients seen over a six month period from January 2002 to June 2002 at a rural outreach eye clinic in Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Results: Significant P-values obtained on comparing the proportions of patients belonging to each occupational group and their patronage and choice of eye care services led to rejection of the null hypothesis that there was no difference in use of services between patients of different occupations. This suggests that type of occupation influences patients patronage of eye care services for western remedies to eye care problems.
Conclusion: It is necessary to identify strategies to overcome lack of awareness as a result of socioeconomic background of the population in the rural areas where eye care services are to be provided in order to provide services to all. These strategies need to be gender sensitive. Further studies in form of randomised controlled educational interventions are necessary to properly assess the success of these strategies.
Keywords: Occupation, rural eye care, choices, gender, interventions
Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol. 7(3&4) 2005: 281-284
