Knowledge Of Ocular Complications Among Diabetic Patients Visiting Heraa General Hospital Ophthalmology Clinic In Makkah Al-Mokarramah, April To June 2022

Abstract

Aim of Study: To assess diabetic patients’ knowledge regarding ocular complications among diabetic patients.

Methods: This study followed an analytical cross-sectional research design. based on an online interview using a questionnaire during the period from April 2022 to June 2021 at Heraa Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The inclusion criteria were adult type 2 diabetic subjects of both genders and any nationality. The minimum sample size was determined to be 214. However, the study sample was increased to 220, to compensate for any missing data.

Results: About half of the participants (46.8%) had poor knowledge about diabetic retinopathy, 34.1% had moderate knowledge, and 19.1% had good knowledge. Participants’ main source of knowledge about diabetes-related ocular complications was the doctors at eye clinics (91.8%), while general practitioners and family physicians constituted only 4.5% of the knowledge sources for the participants. About half of the participants (41.4%) had a positive attitude toward the prevention of diabetes-related ocular complications. Participants’ knowledge scores about the prevention of diabetes-related ocular complications correlated positively and significantly with their attitude scores (r=0.198, p=0.003). Participants’ knowledge grades differed significantly according to their age groups (p=0.024), with older participants (aged >60 years) having the highest percentage of good knowledge. Male participants had significantly better knowledge grades than female participants (p<0.001). Less educated participants and those with the least monthly income had the highest percentages of poor knowledge (p=0.008, p<0.001, respectively). Participants who performed self-care had a significantly higher percentage of good knowledge than those whose caregivers were family members. Participants’ attitudes toward the management of diabetic retinopathy differed significantly according to their nationality (p<0.001), with all non-Saudi participants having negative attitudes toward diabetic retinopathy. Less educated participants and those with the least monthly income had the highest negative attitudes toward the management of diabetic retinopathy (p<0.001 for both). However, participants’ knowledge grades did not differ significantly according to the[1]ir age groups, gender or type of caregivers.

Conclusions: Diabetic patients’ knowledge and attitude regarding diabetes-related ocular complications are suboptimal. The main risk factors associated with poor knowledge are being female, younger in age, those who are less educated, those with the least monthly income, and those whose caregivers were family members. The main sources of knowledge about diabetes and its related ocular complications are the physicians, especially the ophthalmologists, who should be well-trained to provide health education to diabetic patients and enforce their motivation toward regular eye check-ups.