Analysis of the patients motives and prevalence of eye health problems on the emergency department of the Municipal Hospital of Santo André

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Abstract
Purpose: this study aims to investigate the main complaints and ocular health problems in a specific region to facilitate better planning of public resources and the formulation of strategies aimed at reducing and controlling visual impairments and blindness. The focus is on assessing the epidemiological profile of patients treated at the ophthalmological emergency room of Santo André. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional and retrospective study involving 165,714 patients who sought primary care at the ophthalmic emergency room of Centro Hospitalar Municipal de Santo André from 2011 to 2016. Data on age, gender, city of origin, diagnosis, conducted treatment, and date of care were collected. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the dataset, and distributions were presented using measures of central tendency and variability. Qualitative data were displayed in absolute and relative frequencies. Results: during the analyzed period, a total of 165.714 patients sought treatment at the ophthalmological emergency room. Among them, 52.25% were men, and 47.75% were women. The mean age of the general population seeking care was 37±20 years. External diseases (56.22%) and ocular trauma (14.12%) were the leading reasons for these visits. Conclusion: this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiological profile of patients attending a reference service in ophthalmic emergency during the proposed period. The findings reveal noteworthy changes in the population’s profile over the last decade. These insights can inform and guide healthcare providers and policymakers in implementing targeted interventions to address eye health issues effectively.