FP1067 : Is there a difference in health seeking in cataract patients attending hospital vs outreach service?

Dr.Dayakar Yadalla, Y13011

This is a descriptive study to assess health seeking behavior in cataract surgery patients in paid, subsidized and outreach services of a tertiary eye care facility (300 subjects in each group). Mean age was 60 years and 49% were males. Delay in health seeking (> 6 months to approach care) was around 31% in camp compared to 17% in paid and 23% in subsidized sections (p<0.01). In outreach and subsidized sections major reason for delay was financial constraints (37%). In outreach section, majority were illiterate, from lower middle class of rural areas with lack of health insurance (40%). Distance to nearest health facilities was more and access to tertiary health facilities was significantly lower in outreach group. Presence of comorbidities was significantly higher in the paid group (53% vs 32%). Profile of caregivers of subjects was similar in all three groups. This study highlights the need for conducting camps in remote rural areas to cater to disadvantaged sections of the society.