Iraqi Journal of Medical Sciences






   
Vol. 13 Issue 1 January - March / 2015
Published on website | Date : 2016-03-22 22:05:39

AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF DIABETIC OCULAR DISEASES AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS AT ADEN DIABETIC CENTER, ADEN, YEMEN

Sawsan F. Mohammed, Ahmed. S. Al Garba, Jameel A.R. Saleh, Azal S. Aqeel


Abstract

Background:Awareness about diabetic eye complications and regular eye examinations plays an important role in avoiding blindness.
Objective:To assess the level of awareness and knowledge regarding diabetic ocular diseases among diabetic patients attending Aden Diabetic Center at Al-Gamhoria Teaching Hospital in Aden.
Method:This is a cross sectional study including a sample of 182 diabetic patients attending this center during the period from January – March 2013. To achieve the objectives of the study, a closed-ended questionnaire including different variables related to diabetic patients' awareness supplied to each patient. The authors filled in the questionnaire during interviews with the patients.
Result:The results showed that 109 patients were females and 73 were males with a mean age 53 years and half of the patients were illiterates. Of the total 182 respondents, 157 (86.3%) had variable awareness and knowledge of ocular complications of diabetes mellitus. From those 157 respondents, 124 (79%) had awareness of blindness as an ocular diabetic complication. Awareness of diabetic complications affecting other organs was 93.6%. Awareness regarding the importance of controlling issues caused by diabetes mellitus and its impact on preventing eye complications as well as other body organs was 73.9%. About 36.8% of respondents never visited eye specialists. Medical staff together with the media was the main source of information about eye diseases.
Conclusion:The majority of patients was aware of diabetes mellitus complications and had knowledge of cataract, glaucoma, and retinopathy as the most known ocular complications.
Key words:Awareness, eyes, diabetes mellitus, complications.


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