Assessment Knowledge of Diabetic Patients towards Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy at the Endocrinology and Diabetes Center in Basra City

Abstract

Objectives: The study goals to: To assess diabetic patients’ knowledge of diabetic retinopathy (DR), to
assess the knowledge of diabetic patients regarding the prevention of diabetic retinopathy and to find out the
relationship between the level of knowledge regarding the prevention of diabetic retinopathy and clinical
socio-demographic characteristics.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was performed though out the present study for period
from 1st December 2020 to 20st March 2021. A non - probability purposive sample of 100 patients at the
Endocrinology and Diabetes Center in Basra City. Data were collected through the questionnaire constructed
and the self-management reporting process. The questionnaire consists of three parts: social and clinical
demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, the environment,
economic Status, duration of illness, type of diabetes mellitus, A family history of diabetes, type of treatment
for diabetes and history of eye disease).The second part consist of questionnaire contain questions related
to general information regarding knowledge of diabetic patients about diabetic retinopathy. The third part
contains questions related to the prevention of diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes. The validity
of the tool content was determined by a committee of experts, and the internal consistency of the tool was
determined through a pilot study and the calculation of the alpha correlation coefficient (r = 0.70). Analyzing
data by descriptive and inferential statistical approaches using (SPSS) version 22.0.
Results: The results of the study showed that (55%) had a poor level of knowledge regarding diabetic
retinopathy, and (50%) had a moderate level of knowledge regarding the prevention of diabetic retinopathy.