European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: To assess the awareness and knowledge of Diabetic retinopathy among Diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: This was a descriptive, cross sectional, non-randomized, questionnaire based study conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology,Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India, for 14 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 100 patients, 57(57%) had no knowledge of diabetic retinopathy compared to 43 (43%) who had knowledge. This was statistically significant with p value
<0.001. Knowledge was more in age group less than 30 years (70%) and least in 40 to 50 age group (46.87%) which was statistically significant with p value <0.001. Knowledge was found to be high among participants with higher educational status than in those who had college level education (66.67%) which was statistically significant with p value <0.001 Patients in the upper socioeconomic group had more knowledge about diabetic retinopathy (73.33%) which was statistically significant with a p value of 0.001. About 86.04 % of individuals in knowledge group had right attitude which was significantly higher than non knowledge group (54.38%) with a p value <0.001. Regarding source of information, 47% of patients in knowledge group got information about diabetic retinopathy from physicians, 12% from eye specialists, 10% from reading books, 9% from various media and 22% from other sources like family and friends.
Conclusion: we concluded that the Increasing knowledge about diabetic retinopathy through awareness campaigns can improve attitude & practice. Early detection & timely intervention can help in preventing sight threatening complications