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Learning Objective 1: Identify advantages and disadvantages of secondary analysis of large data sets.
Learning Objective 2: Identify health care access correlates of impaired vision among adult US women.
Examination of self-reported vision status as it relates to ability to access various health care services among adult women participants in the 2008 National Health Interview Survey.
Methods:
This research, reflective of the Health Belief Model, was conducted using a descriptive design entailing sample analysis of an existing data base. The sample comprised 21,781 adults (18-85+), including 12,267 women, in the National Health Interview Survey Adult Samples for 2008. Data were collected by US Census workers during home interviews with telephone follow-up, using a complex probabilistic sampling design. All states and the District of Columbia are represented, and underserved minority groups were purposively over-sampled. The National Health Interview Survey is a computer assisted personal interview that takes approximately one hour and most items are structured fixed response questions; the interview schedule can be reviewed on the NHIS website. Data were subjected to chi-square, correlation and regression analyses using SPSS 18.0.
Results:
Women self-reporting no vision comprised 0.4% of the sample, while 13.0% reported low vision even with correction. Significant relationships were found between self-reported vision status and: ability to afford a prescription; having gotten a flu shot, obtained dental care, seen an eye doctor, OB/GYN, medical specialist, general doctor, advanced practice nurse or physician’s assistant within the past year; having gotten a PAP test within the past two years; or ever having received a pneumonia shot or experienced homelessness. No significant relationships were observed between self-reported vision status and: having had a mammogram within the past two years; having a tetanus shot within 10 years; or reporting a usual place for routine and preventive care.
Conclusion:
Impaired vision is associated with a number of indicators of ability to access common health care services.
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