J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2012 Dec;53(12):1857-1863. 10.3341/jkos.2012.53.12.1857.

Disparities of Socio-Demographic Factors between Visually Disabled People and Other Disabled People: KNHANES III

• Rim TH
• Lee DM
• Lee CS

• KMID: 2216402
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2012.53.12.1857

Abstract

PURPOSE
To identify the disparities of socio-demographic factors between visually disabled people and other people with disabilities.
METHODS
The fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III) is a nationwide survey. The present study included 25,125 people who completed the KNHANES III. For analysis, the participants were divided into 3 groups: subjects without disabilities, subjects with disabilities but without visual disabilities, and subjects with visual disabilities. The gender, age, monthly house income, occupation, education, residential area, and health insurance were investigated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the most differentiating factor.
RESULTS
Visually disabled people were proportionally older (40 to 64 years), were male, living in a non-metropolitan area except Seoul/Pusan/Gyunggi compared to other disabled people and also had a higher proportion of the above factors, as well as lower education compared to non-disabled people.
CONCLUSIONS
Socio-demographic factors showed disparities in visually disabled people and people with other disabilities. Ophthalmologists should understand these disparities and be involved in establishing policies to reduce the disparities. Ophthalmologists also need to provide holistic and comprehensive medical care using the Blindness is Preventable! Korea Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness, consultation with social work teams in hospitals and other institutions, as well as evaluating the visual impairment.

Keyword

Disparity; KNHANES III; Socio-demographic factors; Visually disabled people; Visual impairment

MeSH Terms

Blindness
Humans
Insurance, Health
Korea
Logistic Models
Male
Nutrition Surveys
Occupations
Social Work
Vision Disorders

Figure

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  Figure 1 Sociodemographic factors among Non-disabled people, Diabled people, and Visual disabilities. *p-value < 0.01.

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