Effects of Vision Health Education and Free Eyeglasses on Knowledge of Vision and Usage of Spectacles Among Primary School Students: Evidence from Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China
Yunyun Zhang,1 Hongyu Guan,1 Kang Du,1 Jin Zhao,1 Yaojiang Shi,1 Huan Wang,1 Decai Wang2 1Center for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 2Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Risk Management and Healthcare Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-vision-health-education-and-free-eyeglasses-on-knowledge-of-peer-reviewed-article-RMHP |
| _version_ | 1818952773602902016 |
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| author | Zhang Y Guan H Du K Zhao J Shi Y Wang H Wang D |
| author_facet | Zhang Y Guan H Du K Zhao J Shi Y Wang H Wang D |
| author_sort | Zhang Y |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Yunyun Zhang,1 Hongyu Guan,1 Kang Du,1 Jin Zhao,1 Yaojiang Shi,1 Huan Wang,1 Decai Wang2 1Center for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 2Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hongyu GuanCenter for Experimental Economics for Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, 710119, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 186-9188-9621Email guanhongyu2016@163.comBackground: In rural China, children’s vision problems are very common, with many who would benefit from refractive correction not getting the care they need. This study examines whether a health information campaign that involves vision health education and a free trial of health product with free eyeglasses is effective at raising students’ awareness of myopia and promoting students’ eyeglasses usage.Methods: We conducted an in-the-field randomized controlled experiment of a program providing vision health education and subsidized free eyeglasses to myopic children from 168 primary schools in rural Northwestern China in 2012.Results: A total of 2189 students, mean age 10.5 years (49.3% male), participated in the baseline survey. At the baseline, the average correct response rate for visual knowledge among the sample students was 30.1%, and only 15% who needed eyeglasses used them. Seven months after intervention, the average correct response rate for vision knowledge were 48.5% and 48.3% in the education group and the education plus free eyeglasses group respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group. The rate of eyeglasses usage was 36% and 43% in the free eyeglasses group and the education plus free eyeglasses group respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group. The rate of eyeglasses compliance in the free eyeglasses group and the education plus free eyeglasses group was 19% and 26%, which also were significantly higher than the control group.Conclusion: The information campaign combined with subsidized eyeglasses had a better effect both on vision knowledge and eyeglasses usage. The information campaign improved knowledge by providing the right information, and free eyeglasses changed the perceived utility and experience by the students using the product and getting benefits. Information and the free eyeglasses (subsidized) are complements.Keywords: vision health education, subsidies free eyeglasses, health-seeking knowledge, health-seeking behavior |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T09:55:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ce731c06e94042c8aaa4312885d55aa9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-1594 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T09:55:42Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Risk Management and Healthcare Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-ce731c06e94042c8aaa4312885d55aa92022-12-21T19:44:28ZengDove Medical PressRisk Management and Healthcare Policy1179-15942021-04-01Volume 141449146463779Effects of Vision Health Education and Free Eyeglasses on Knowledge of Vision and Usage of Spectacles Among Primary School Students: Evidence from Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in ChinaZhang YGuan HDu KZhao JShi YWang HWang DYunyun Zhang,1 Hongyu Guan,1 Kang Du,1 Jin Zhao,1 Yaojiang Shi,1 Huan Wang,1 Decai Wang2 1Center for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China; 2Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hongyu GuanCenter for Experimental Economics for Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, 710119, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 186-9188-9621Email guanhongyu2016@163.comBackground: In rural China, children’s vision problems are very common, with many who would benefit from refractive correction not getting the care they need. This study examines whether a health information campaign that involves vision health education and a free trial of health product with free eyeglasses is effective at raising students’ awareness of myopia and promoting students’ eyeglasses usage.Methods: We conducted an in-the-field randomized controlled experiment of a program providing vision health education and subsidized free eyeglasses to myopic children from 168 primary schools in rural Northwestern China in 2012.Results: A total of 2189 students, mean age 10.5 years (49.3% male), participated in the baseline survey. At the baseline, the average correct response rate for visual knowledge among the sample students was 30.1%, and only 15% who needed eyeglasses used them. Seven months after intervention, the average correct response rate for vision knowledge were 48.5% and 48.3% in the education group and the education plus free eyeglasses group respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group. The rate of eyeglasses usage was 36% and 43% in the free eyeglasses group and the education plus free eyeglasses group respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group. The rate of eyeglasses compliance in the free eyeglasses group and the education plus free eyeglasses group was 19% and 26%, which also were significantly higher than the control group.Conclusion: The information campaign combined with subsidized eyeglasses had a better effect both on vision knowledge and eyeglasses usage. The information campaign improved knowledge by providing the right information, and free eyeglasses changed the perceived utility and experience by the students using the product and getting benefits. Information and the free eyeglasses (subsidized) are complements.Keywords: vision health education, subsidies free eyeglasses, health-seeking knowledge, health-seeking behaviorhttps://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-vision-health-education-and-free-eyeglasses-on-knowledge-of-peer-reviewed-article-RMHPvision health educationsubsidies free eyeglasseshealth-seeking knowledgehealth-seeking behavior |
| spellingShingle | Zhang Y Guan H Du K Zhao J Shi Y Wang H Wang D Effects of Vision Health Education and Free Eyeglasses on Knowledge of Vision and Usage of Spectacles Among Primary School Students: Evidence from Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China Risk Management and Healthcare Policy vision health education subsidies free eyeglasses health-seeking knowledge health-seeking behavior |
| title | Effects of Vision Health Education and Free Eyeglasses on Knowledge of Vision and Usage of Spectacles Among Primary School Students: Evidence from Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China |
| title_full | Effects of Vision Health Education and Free Eyeglasses on Knowledge of Vision and Usage of Spectacles Among Primary School Students: Evidence from Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Vision Health Education and Free Eyeglasses on Knowledge of Vision and Usage of Spectacles Among Primary School Students: Evidence from Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Vision Health Education and Free Eyeglasses on Knowledge of Vision and Usage of Spectacles Among Primary School Students: Evidence from Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China |
| title_short | Effects of Vision Health Education and Free Eyeglasses on Knowledge of Vision and Usage of Spectacles Among Primary School Students: Evidence from Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China |
| title_sort | effects of vision health education and free eyeglasses on knowledge of vision and usage of spectacles among primary school students evidence from gansu and shaanxi provinces in china |
| topic | vision health education subsidies free eyeglasses health-seeking knowledge health-seeking behavior |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-vision-health-education-and-free-eyeglasses-on-knowledge-of-peer-reviewed-article-RMHP |
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