Trends of delayed healthcare access in ocular injuries: a multicenter study in community hospitals, Central Thailand
4 affiliations
- 1Medical Cadet, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- 2Department of Ophthalmology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- 3Department of Military and Community Medicine, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- 4Department of Pharmacology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Abstract
AIM: To determine the annual trends and risk factors for delayed access to care in community hospitals across Central Thailand-an area with high occupational injury risk. METHODS: International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes, were included. Demographics, injury characteristics, and care-seeking behaviors were recorded. Delayed access was defined as presentation >24h post-injury. Linear and logistic regression models were used to identify associated risk factors. Annual fiscal trends were analyzed to assess year-to-year patterns in delayed healthcare access. RESULTS: Among 6571 ocular injury cases, 4034 (61.4%) were male, with median age 43y [interquartile range (IQR) 31-57y], and 3983 (79.3%) were manual laborers. Delayed healthcare access was observed in 2426 cases (36.9%). Significant risk factors included age ≥60y [aOR: 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-1.82], visits to F2-level hospitals [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.03; 95%CI: 1.73-2.38], and outpatient visits (aOR: 14.01; 95%CI: 12.18-16.12). In F2 hospitals, subgroup analysis revealed a U-shaped reduction in delayed healthcare access for ocular injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2021), adjusted for age and gender. CONCLUSION: This first in-depth study of ocular injuries in Central Thailand's community hospitals found persistently high delayed presentations, with older age, F2 hospital visits, and outpatient department (OPD) attendance as key contributing factors. The trend during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the important role of lower-tier community hospitals in providing prompt and accessible care for patients. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and public awareness is essential to ensure timely care and reduce preventable vision-related complications.
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BibTeX
@article{sertsuwankul2026trends,
title = {{Trends of delayed healthcare access in ocular injuries: a multicenter study in community hospitals, Central Thailand}},
author = {Panrawee Sertsuwankul and Chanapat Limprungpattanakit and Panhathai Yaisiri and Ploypun Narindrarangkura and Sethapong Lertsakulbunlue},
journal = {International Journal of Ophthalmology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.18240/ijo.2026.11.16},
url = {https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2026.11.16},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Trends of delayed healthcare access in ocular injuries: a multicenter study in community hospitals, Central Thailand
AU - Panrawee Sertsuwankul
AU - Chanapat Limprungpattanakit
AU - Panhathai Yaisiri
AU - Ploypun Narindrarangkura
AU - Sethapong Lertsakulbunlue
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - International Journal of Ophthalmology
DO - 10.18240/ijo.2026.11.16
UR - https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2026.11.16
AB - AIM: To determine the annual trends and risk factors for delayed access to care in community hospitals across Central Thailand-an area with high occupational injury risk. METHODS: International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes, were included. Demographics, injury characteristics, and care-seeking behaviors were recorded. Delayed access was defined as presentation >24h post-injury. Linear and logistic regression models were used to identify associated risk factors. Annual fiscal trends were analyzed to assess year-to-year patterns in delayed healthcare access. RESULTS: Among 6571 ocular injury cases, 4034 (61.4%) were male, with median age 43y [interquartile range (IQR) 31-57y], and 3983 (79.3%) were manual laborers. Delayed healthcare access was observed in 2426 cases (36.9%). Significant risk factors included age ≥60y [aOR: 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-1.82], visits to F2-level hospitals [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.03; 95%CI: 1.73-2.38], and outpatient visits (aOR: 14.01; 95%CI: 12.18-16.12). In F2 hospitals, subgroup analysis revealed a U-shaped reduction in delayed healthcare access for ocular injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2021), adjusted for age and gender. CONCLUSION: This first in-depth study of ocular injuries in Central Thailand's community hospitals found persistently high delayed presentations, with older age, F2 hospital visits, and outpatient department (OPD) attendance as key contributing factors. The trend during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the important role of lower-tier community hospitals in providing prompt and accessible care for patients. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and public awareness is essential to ensure timely care and reduce preventable vision-related complications.
SN - 2222-3959
SN - 2227-4898
ER -