Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients visiting Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia, 2022

Abstract

Background The increased prevalence of visual impairment among diabetic patients has become a major public health problem. However, there was limited information on the extent of visual impairment among diabetic patients in our country, and there was no study in the study area. Providing updated data regarding this area is critical for the prevention of visual impairment among diabetic patients. Purpose The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients visiting Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia, 2022. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on adult diabetic patients from May 30 to July 15, 2022, at Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 398 study participants. Data was collected through a face-to-face interview, a medical chart review, and an ocular examination. A binary logistic regression was performed to identify potential risk factors for visual impairment and their strength of association was expressed using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Variables with a P-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result In this study, a total of 391 participants were involved, with a response rate of 98.2%. The prevalence of visual impairment was 28.6% (95% CI: 24.6–33.0). Age ≥ 60 years (AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.72, 10.71), poor physical exercise (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.62, 6.53), poor glycemic control (AOR = 4.34, 95% CI: 2.26, 8.34), history of eye examination (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.50, 5.76), duration of diabetes ≥ 9 years (AOR = 4.78, 95% CI: 2.11, 10.83) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.21, 7.50) were positively associated with visual impairment. Conclusion The study found a high prevalence of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients. Older age, longer duration of diabetes, poor physical exercise, poor glycemic control, history of eye examination, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were significantly associated with visual impairment. Thus, regular physical activity, good control of glucose levels, and regular eye exams were recommended for all diabetic patients.

Prevalence and associated factors of proliferative diabetic retinopathy among adult diabetic patients in Northwest Ethiopia, 2023: A cross-sectional multicenter study

“…treatment. As a result, glucose levels in the blood vessels will increase to exacerbate the development of PDR [41]. This result was in line with the study conducted in Malaysia [17].…”

Magnitude of diabetic retinopathy and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes on follow up at diabetes clinic of Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital, Asella, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…In addition, those who regularly exercise were found to have lower odds of having DR than those who do not exercise regularly. This nding is supported by studies done in Addis Ababa [11] , Hawassa [29], and Dessie Ethiopia [30] that showed lower odds of having DR among patients with diabetes who had exercise self-care. However, a study done in china did not show a statistically signi cant association between exercise and diabetic retinopathy [31].…”

Determinants of diabetic retinopathy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Following the additional screening, eighteen articles were evaluated for eligibility, with three being excluded due to being incomplete, of poor quality, or not in full text ( Fig 1 ). Finally, fifteen studies were reviewed for co-morbid HTN [ 21 – 35 ] ( Table 2 ), six studies for poor glycemic control [ 21 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 28 , 32 ] ( Table 3 ), and five studies for the duration of diabetic illness [ 21 , 22 , 25 , 27 , 31 ] ( Table 4 ). Of the total studies; five were conducted in the Amhara region [ 21 , 23 , 27 , 30 , 34 ], five in Addis Ababa [ 24 , 26 , 29 , 32 , 35 ], three in the Oromia region [ 25 , 31 , 33 ], and two in South Nations and Nationalities people (SNNP) of Ethiopia [ 22 , 28 ].…”

“…Finally, fifteen studies were reviewed for co-morbid HTN [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] (Table 2), six studies for poor glycemic control [21,22,24,25,28,32] (Table 3), and five studies for the duration of diabetic illness [21,22,25,27,31] (Table 4). Of the total studies; five were conducted in the Amhara region [21,23,27,30,34], five in Addis Ababa [24,26,29,32,35], three in the Oromia region [25,31,33], and two in South Nations and Nationalities people (SNNP) of Ethiopia [22,28].…”