A Community-based Study of the Willingness to Pay Associated with Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy among Type 2 Diabetes in Kinmen, Taiwan

Hui-Chuan Shih; Pesus Chou; Shih-Jen Chen; Jorn-Hon Liu; Fenq-Li Lee; Chi-Ming Liu; Tao-Hsin Tung

doi:10.2188/jea.17.186

Original Article

A Community-based Study of the Willingness to Pay Associated with Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy among Type 2 Diabetes in Kinmen, Taiwan

Hui-Chuan Shih, Pesus Chou, Shih-Jen Chen, Jorn-Hon Liu, Fenq-Li Lee, Chi-Ming Liu, Tao-Hsin Tung

Author information

Hui-Chuan Shih
Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Armed Forced General Hospital.
Pesus Chou
Community Medicine Research Center & Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University.
Shih-Jen Chen
Community Medicine Research Center & Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University.
Department of Ophthalmology, Veterans General Hospital.
Jorn-Hon Liu
Cheng Hsin Rehabilitation Medical Center.
Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University.
Fenq-Li Lee
Department of Ophthalmology, Veterans General Hospital.
Chi-Ming Liu
Community Medicine Research Center & Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University.
Cheng Hsin Rehabilitation Medical Center.
Tao-Hsin Tung
Community Medicine Research Center & Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University.
Cheng Hsin Rehabilitation Medical Center.
Faculty of Public Health, School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University.

Keywords: Community-based Studies, Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Willingnessto-pay, Taiwan

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2007 Volume 17 Issue 6 Pages 186-193

DOI https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.17.186

Details

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In Taiwan, there were few population-based studies of WTP values related to DR screening among persons with type 2 diabetes. This community-based study was to explore the willingness- to-pay (WTP) values for screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR) associated with varying degrees of DR among persons with type 2 diabetes in Kinmen, Taiwan.
METHODS: A total of 725 eligible community-dwelling adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes received DR screening during 1999-2002 and then evaluated WTP values in 2003. Diagnosis of DR was performed by a panel of ophthalmologists using ophthalmoscopy and a 45-degree color retinal photographs to examine fundus after dilating pupils. WTP values were measured by discrete-choice method.
RESULTS: The 406 adults with type 2 diabetes participating in the WTP survey had a 56% response rate. Of 406 subjects, 265 (65.3%) said they would be willing to pay for DR screening to reduce blindness. The overall mean WTP value was New Taiwan Dollars 468.9±327.7 (US dollars 14.3±10.0). Age was borderline significant (p=0.07) related to WTP values. Those with severe stage DR had higher WTP values for screening than subjects with mild stage.
CONCLUSIONS: Degree of DR was the independent factor affecting WTP values in DR screening among community-dwelling adults with type 2 diabetes.
J Epidemiol 2007; 17: 186-193.

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