Poverty and Cataract: A Study in Kenya, the Philippines, and Bangladesh
Author Information
Author(s): Hannah Kuper, Sarah Polack, Cristina Eusebio, Wanjiku Mathenge, Zakia Wadud, Allen Foster
Primary Institution: International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
What is the association between visual impairment from cataract and poverty in adults in Kenya, Bangladesh, and the Philippines?
Conclusion
People with visual impairment due to cataract were poorer than those with normal sight in all three low-income countries studied.
Supporting Evidence
- Cases were more likely to be in the lowest quartile of per capita expenditure compared to controls.
- Severe cataract-induced visual impairment was more common in those who owned fewer assets.
- Self-rated wealth was significantly lower for households with a case compared to control households.
Takeaway
This study found that people who can't see well because of cataracts are often very poor, especially in countries like Kenya, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
Methodology
A population-based case-control study was conducted with 596 cases and 535 controls, assessing household expenditure, asset ownership, and self-rated wealth.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported wealth and expenditure data.
Limitations
The study does not prove that poverty causes visual impairment, as financial circumstances were assessed after cataracts had impaired sight.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adults aged 50 and older from Kenya, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.9–5.5 for Kenya, 1.1–3.2 for Bangladesh, 1.7–5.7 for the Philippines
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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