Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Diabetic Retinopathy among Diabetic Patients Attending the Department of Endocrinology at Nampula Central Hospital in Mozambique during 2022

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice about diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients, attending the endocrinology department of Nampula Central Hospital in Mozambique. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Endocrinology Department of Nampula Central Hospital in Mozambique. Patients’ knowledge, attitude and practice were assessed using a 90-point semi-structured questionnaire. Patients were classified into different categories according to their knowledge, attitude and practice. Data analysis was performed with the aid of SPSS version 20, where frequency distribution and measures of central tendency (mean, median and standard deviation) were used to summarize the descriptive part of the study. The median of Likert scale was calculated and used to identify the majority opinion for questions related to Diabetic retinopathy. Participants were included in the study as part of the sample after signing informed consent. Results: A sample of 305 participants was studied, where 163(53.4%) were male and 142(46.6%) were female; the mean age of the participants was 52.08(±13.04) years. The mean duration of diabetes was 7.2(±6.3) years. The most prevalent treatment was the combination of diet with medication represented by 51.8%. The participants had an average score of 3.98 in the knowledge section and a satisfaction level of 58.0%. The average score in the attitude was 2.92, being negative in 51.5%, and about practice they scored in average 3.49, being positive in 51.5% of the participants. Conclusion: Study participants have satisfactory knowledge and favorable practices regarding diabetic retinopathy, but the majority’s attitude is negative.