Awareness and knowledge of Diabetic retinopathy among Diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital of western Odisha, India

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on the occasion of world diabetes day. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire (21 points with 16 questions) was prepared and distributed among the diabetic population visiting the camp. The questionnaire was mainly prepared to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practice of diabetic retinopathy. Result: 192 diabetic patients attending the camps were included in our study. Male to female ratio of the diabetic population was found to be 3:1. The awareness about the complication of diabetic retinopathy was higher among 51 to 60 years of age group with a p-value of 0.0145. Out of the total study population, 32.4% belonged to the knowledge group with the right attitude. 31.25% had knowledge about diabetes & its complications and 47.9% had a practice of going for a routine eye checkup. Conclusion: The knowledge of diabetic retinopathy can be improved in a population by increasing the awareness about diabetic retinopathy. Such an awareness campaign on world diabetic day can help in early detection and timely intervention of diabetes. The rates of diabetic retinopathy related blindness can be controlled by increasing awareness about it.