The sociodemographic characteristics and social determinants of visual impairment in a homeless population in the Montreal area.

Autor: Etty MC; Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC, H3N 1X9, Canada., Michaelsen S; Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC, H3N 1X9, Canada., Yelle B; School of Optometry, University of Montreal, 3744 Rue Jean Bureau 110, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada., Beaulieu K; School of Optometry, University of Montreal, 3744 Rue Jean Bureau 110, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada., Jacques P; School of Optometry, University of Montreal, 3744 Rue Jean Bureau 110, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada., Ettaleb S; School of Optometry, University of Montreal, 3744 Rue Jean Bureau 110, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada., Samaha D; School of Optometry, University of Montreal, 3744 Rue Jean Bureau 110, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada., Tousignant B; Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC, H3N 1X9, Canada.; School of Optometry, University of Montreal, 3744 Rue Jean Bureau 110, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada.; Public Health Research Centre (CReSP), University of Montreal, C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada., Druetz T; Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC, H3N 1X9, Canada. thomas.druetz@umontreal.ca.; Public Health Research Centre (CReSP), University of Montreal, C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada. thomas.druetz@umontreal.ca.; Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA. thomas.druetz@umontreal.ca.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de sante publique [Can J Public Health] 2023 Feb; Vol. 114 (1), pp. 113-124. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Aug 15.
DOI: 10.17269/s41997-022-00676-y
Abstrakt: Objective: Homelessness is a serious social and public health concern in Canada. Individuals experiencing homelessness face numerous health problems and barriers in accessing health services. Visual impairment can exacerbate the lower quality of life experienced by people who are homeless, but its incidence among this population has been poorly documented in the literature. Our study aimed to describe health and sociodemographic characteristics and determine their association with visual impairment, ocular pathology and uncorrected refractive errors in a homeless population in Montreal, Canada.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2019 and September 2020 in eight homeless shelters selected using a stratified random sampling approach on the island of Montreal. An eye examination was performed on all participants, who were also administered a survey on social determinants of health. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze survey data, and logistic regression was used for each of the three study outcomes.
Results: A total of 124 individuals experiencing homelessness (93 men, 31 women) were recruited. Participants were mostly Caucasian (> 70%) with an average age of 48 years (standard deviation = 13 years). Our sample reported a high level of education (68% had a high school diploma or higher), a high level of health insurance coverage (77%), social assistance benefits (71%), and social support (over 50%). There was a high prevalence of chronic conditions including diabetes (14%), hypertension (25%), and HIV/AIDS (3%). Results from eye examinations showed a high prevalence of visual impairment (22%), ocular pathology (23%), and uncorrected refractive error (75%). Age was statistically significantly associated with each outcome variable.
Conclusion: Despite a high level of social and health support, individuals experiencing homelessness in Montreal, Canada, experience high levels of chronic conditions and visual impairment. Our study highlights the unmet need for eye healthcare among homeless populations, and that eye health can be a unique entry point for intervening with homeless populations.
(© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive license to The Canadian Public Health Association.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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