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  • Title: Utilization of eye care providers by Canadian adolescents: evidence from the Canadian Community Health Survey.
    Author: Xu K, Trope GE, Buncic R, Jin YP.
    Journal: Can J Ophthalmol; 2012 Jun; 47(3):211-6. PubMed ID: 22687294.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To examine whether different government-insured eye care coverage policies affect adolescents' access to eye care providers (ophthalmologists and optometrists) in Canada. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: 11 015 Canadian adolescents aged 12 to 17 participated in the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2007-2008. METHODS: Self-reported use of eye care providers, was compared between adolescents with and without government-insured routine eye examinations. The association between the utilization and the government coverage was evaluated by using prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Across Canada, 45.6% of adolescents used eye care providers over a 12-month period. The utilization rate was highest (46.4%) in provinces with insured routine eye examinations, lower (35.9%) in provinces without insured routine eye examinations, and lowest (27.1%) in the 3 territories. Significantly lower utilization rates were also found in males (10% less likely than females); in those without dwelling ownership (19% less likely than those who owned); in those who read fewer than 3 hours weekly (13% less likely than in those who read 3 or more hours per week); and in nondiabetics. After adjusting for the confounding effects of these factors, we found that adolescents living in provinces with uninsured routine eye examinations were 24% less likely to utilize eye care services (PR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.67-0.85); whereas those in the 3 territories were nearly 40% less likely to use eye care providers (PR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.48-0.83) compared to adolescents in provinces with insured routine eye examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of eye care insurance for routine eye examinations has a negative impact on adolescents' access to eye care providers in Canada.
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