European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the awareness and knowledge of Diabetic retinopathy among Diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital of Bihar region.
Material and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross sectional, non-randomized, questionnaire based study conducted in the department of Department of ophthalmology, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India, for 15 months. 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 the 200 patients, 110 (55%) had no knowledge of diabetic retinopathy compared to 90 (45%) who had knowledge. This was statistically significant with p value <0.001. Knowledge was more in age group less than 30 years (76.19%) and least in 40 to 50 age group (47.62%) which was statistically significant with p value <0.001. Knowledge was more among females than males which was not significant statistically. Knowledge was found to be high among participants with higher educational status than in those who had college level education (72.73%) which was statistically significant with p value <0.001. Patients in the upper socioeconomic group had more knowledge about diabetic retinopathy (85.71%) which was statistically significant with a p value of 0.001.
Conclusion: The attitude and practice of diabetic retinopathy was statistically significant in knowledge group compared to those who had no knowledge of diabetic retinopathy.