Objective. This study was conducted to explore the role of gender in delayed treatment seeking for cataract at the Impact Jibon Tari Floating Hospital in rural Bangladesh. Method. Existing clinical records were analyzed for patient characteristics based on sex and the role of gender in delayed cataract surgery. Results. A total of 11 174 patients (41.7% female) received surgical treatment for cataract, among which 69.9% (male = 67.7%; female = 73.2%) had visual acuity (VA) of less than 6/60. After adjustment for hypertension, diabetes, side of eye with cataract, and age above 65, women were more likely to come to surgery after VA became less than 6/60 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.19; 95% confidence interval = 1.1-1.29). Discussion and Conclusion. Gender appeared to play a role in seeking treatment at later stages of cataract. Further qualitative studies are needed to determine the mechanism of delayed treatment among women.
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