Gender differences in the utilisation of optometric services in Victoria

Abstract

Medicare and population data demonstrate clear gender differences in utilisation of health services. There are three broad hypotheses that may explain different utilisation rates of health services by gender: differences in access, differences in incidence and differences in attitudes in seeking health care between the genders.

Men are 28 per cent less likely than women to see an optometrist in Victoria. Both women's and men's utilisation of optometric services in Victoria increase with age but there are clear gender differences apparent at every stage of life after childhood. These utilisation rates between genders are tested against incidence rates between genders for eye conditions.

There are few noted gender differences apparent in the incidence or prevalence of ocular conditions. The data on the incidence of health conditions often has limitations, either in measurement tools or in differences in incidence between genders. These limitations are not as evident in eye care incidence data.

Access and incidence differences do not adequately explain the differences in optometric service utilisation rates. This promotes the hypothesis that attitudinal differences in seeking health care between men and women are significant.

Key words:

• gender
• optometric services
• utilisation