1. Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Attending the Tertiary Eye Hospital in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
- Author
-
Arjun Shrestha, Biju Shrestha, Rinkal Suwal, Barsha Suwal, Deepak Khadka, Samata Sharma, and Nirsara Shrestha
- Subjects
awareness ,diabetic retinopathy ,nepal ,Ophthalmology ,RE1-994 - Abstract
Introduction: Lack of knowledge of the need for regular diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) has turned many patients in the advanced stage of DR before first eye check-ups. Unfortunately, data on the knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of diabetic patients with DR are not satisfactory in Nepal. Here, we aim to assess the factors predisposing to awareness levels in the Nepalese context. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study enrolling 369 diabetic patients visiting the Hospital for Children, Eye, ENT and Rehabilitation Services between March 2020 and February 2021 after obtaining ethical clearance from the Nepal Health Research Council. A convenience sampling technique was used. The questionnaire was utilized to assess basic demographic profiles, awareness about diabetic retinopathy, and sources of information on the need for diabetic eye check-ups. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients was 56.26 (11.13) years. The age group of 40–59 years comprised more than half of the total patients. Awareness of DR was 86.7% in this study. Education level and the duration of DM were directly proportional to the awareness level. Healthcare workers or physicians were the primary sources of information on awareness. Conclusions: Awareness of poor visual consequences of DR among patients with diabetes in Nepal is relatively satisfactory. However, patients’ willingness to undergo retinopathy check-ups was not up to the mark. Therefore, we recommend finding out the barrier to poor compliance with diabetic retinopathy in the future. The consumer-focussed health educational interventions and physician-based skills and the DRS facility would improve the awareness level in Nepal.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF