THỰC TRẠNG ĐỤC THỂ THỦY TINH VÀ CÁC YẾU TỐ LIÊN QUAN ĐẾN TIẾP CẬN PHẪU THUẬT Ở NGƯỜI TỪ 50 TUỔI TRỞ LÊN TẠI BÀ RỊA VŨNG TÀU

Abstract

Background: Cataract remains the leading surgically treatable cause of blindness, yet surgical uptake is low in many communities. Objectives: To determine cataract prevalence and analyse factors associated with surgical access among people aged ≥50 years in Ba Ria Vung Tau in 2025-2026. Material and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study of 1,407 residents aged ≥50 years across 7 districts of Ba Ria Vung Tau using stratified two-stage cluster sampling (2/2025-2/2026). Results: Cataract prevalence was 22.6% (n=318), rising sharply with age (50-59: 6.1%; 60-69: 20.1%; ≥70: 44.8%; p<0.05) and with lower economic status (p<0.05). Only 19.5% of cataract patients had undergone surgery; cataract surgical coverage (CSC) was 33.9%. Among 256 unoperated patients, 52.7% had experienced blurred vision for over two years and 47.2% were already blind. Seven factors were significantly associated (p<0.05) with higher surgical uptake: health insurance, awareness of local eye care, mass media exposure, health worker communication about cataract and the blindness prevention programme, knowledge of provincial surgical services, and affordable cost. Leading barriers: unawareness of cataract diagnosis (36.2%), awaiting health insurance (21.4%), and financial constraints (14.2%). Conclusion: Cataract prevalence was high in the community, whereas cataract surgical coverage remained low. Improving access to information, health insurance, and affordable surgical services should be prioritized to increase cataract surgery uptake.