PURPOSE: To identify socioeconomic aspects influencing the attendance of schoolchildren, who showed visual impairment, at ophthalmologic examination. METHODS: 237 schoolchildren were referred to examinations. A survey questionnaire was applied to the parents or those responsible who accompanied the schoolchildren during the ophthalmologic appointment, of the National Campaign for Visual Rehabilitation "Eye to Eye" 2002 in Lins (SP) city. The following parameters were analyzed: educational level of the parents or those responsible, family income level, possession of a vehicle, the distance between their homes and the place of the examination and the association with a private medical health plan. The same questionnaire was applied afterwards, by means of a personal house visit, to the parents or those responsible for the absent schoolchildren. RESULTS: 163 schoolchildren (68.8%) attended the ophthalmologic examination and answered the questionnaire; 74 students were absent (31.2%) and 72 of them answered the questionnaire later. Educational level, family income level, possession of a vehicle and the distance between their homes and the place of the examination did not show significant difference between the students. There was a significant difference (p = 0,017) between the schoolchildren who have a private medical health plan and attended the examination (27.6%) and the absentees (44.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The fact that the student was protected by a private medical health plan was associated with the fact that he/she did not attend the examination.
Health promotion; School health; Visual disorders; Vision tests; Socioeconomic factors; Questionnaires
