Authors : Soumya H V, Priyamvada P V, Rajendra R, Premnath Raman, Prabhakar S K
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijceo.2020.083
Volume : 6
Issue : 3
Year : 2020
Page No : 387-390
Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus causing
blindness in patients with diabetes mellitus. Lack of knowledge about diabetic retinopathy and its
complications is the major cause for increasing blindness in India. The aim of the study is to evaluate
the knowledge about diabetic retinopathy and its influence on attitude and practice in diabetic retinopathy
among patients coming to a tertiary care centre in karnataka.
Materials and Methods: Patients coming to tertiary care centre were interviewed by a single interviewer
with questionnaire consisting of knowledge, attitude and practice questions prepared in English and
responses noted and analysed. A pilot study was conducted in sample population before starting the study.
Results: Out of 300 patients, 173 were males (57.7%) and 127 were females (42.3%). The minimum age
of males and females was 31 and 32 years respectively. Among 300 diabetic patients, 163 patients (54.3%)
had no knowledge about diabetic retinopathy compared to 137 patients(45.7%) who had knowledge about
diabetic retinopathy which is statistically significant with p value <0>
(68.6%) compared to females (31.4%) which is statistically significant with p value of <0>
educational status and socioeconomic status increased, there was statistically significant increase in
knowledge. Patients with longer duration of diabetes had good knowledge which is statistically significant.
Patients with more knowledge and longer duration of diabetes were found to follow a good practice in
diabetic retinopathy which is statistically significant with a p value of less than 0.05.
Conclusion: Lack of knowledge about complications and screening methods is the cause for worsening the
attitude and practice in diabetic retinopathy. Patient education at primary health care and community level
can provide patients with positive attitude towards treatment and follow good practice patterns to prevent
blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.
Keywords: Attitude, Diabetic retinopathy, Knowledge, Practice.