A study of knowledge, attitude and practice in diabetic retinopathy among patients attending a primary health care centre

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of preventable blindness. Sufficient knowledge about the disease can prevent sight threatening complications. Aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and its influence on attitude and practice in diabetic retinopathy among patients attending a primary health centre.Methods: A knowledge attitude practice questionnaire was prepared and pretested in a sample group of representative population. The response was analyzed as to whether the questions were understood or not. Social workers were trained in administering questionnaire. Diabetic patients were given questionnaires at primary health centre and filled in the presence of social workers.Results: Out of 324 patients 60.8% had no knowledge of diabetic retinopathy compared to 39.19% who had knowledge (p <0.001). Knowledge was more in age <40 years (82.60%) and least in 51-60 years (29.34%) (p<0.001) and more among females (38.59%) than males (61.4%). Knowledge was significantly higher among upper socioeconomic group (77.8%). About 83.46% in knowledge group had right attitude which was significantly higher than non knowledge group (32.48%) (p<0.001). 42.51% in knowledge group had practice of visiting ophthalmologist for eye check-up which was significantly higher than non knowledge group (13.19%) (p<0.001).Conclusions: The attitude and practice of diabetic retinopathy was statistically significant in knowledge group compared to those who had no knowledge of diabetic retinopathy. Improving knowledge about diabetic retinopathy through awareness campaigns can increase attitude and practice. Early detection can help in preventing sight threatening complications of diabetic retinopathy.

Knowledge on diabetic retinopathy and associated factors among diabetic patients, Southern Ethiopia, 2021

“…proportion of good knowledge of diabetic retinopathy in this study was found to be 41.3% (95% CI (36.8-46.1)). This result was in line with studies done in South Africa (42%) [19], India Kerala (39.19%) [20], and India Chennai (37.1%) [21].…”

Assessment Knowledge of Diabetic Patients towards Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy at the Endocrinology and Diabetes Center in Basra City

“…The findings of the present study reveal the overall assessment of patients' knowledge regarding diabetic's retinopathy; the finding indicates that patients among the study sample show poor level of knowledge (55.0%). These results are consistent with (16) who reported that half of the respondents (60.8%) had no knowledge of diabetic retinopathy.…”

Effect of an Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Self-Care Practices of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

“…The results of the current study showed that, there was a statistically significant relation between DR patients' educational level and their total knowledge as it was evident that, the total knowledge score was higher among those with higher educational level. This was congruent with a study of Geethadevi et al (2018) who found that, good knowledge was positively associated with higher educational level. In addition, Seneviratne and Prathapan (2016) reported the same result.…”

“…Also, Memon et al (2015) found the same result. However, this result was incongruent with that of Geethadevi et al (2018) who found that, females were more knowledgeable about DR than males. Our result might be because most of females in our study were housewives and they had lower interactions compared with males who were working and thus they were prone to gain more knowledge about DR from different sources.…”