Awareness Of Ocular Involvement In Diabetes Mellitus And Eye Health-Seeking Behaviour Of Type 2 Diabetic Patients In A Tertiary Hospital In South- South Nigeria: O A Cross- Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder. It could lead to ocular complications such as cataract and diabetic retinopathy which are visually impairing and blinding. This study is aimed at determining the level of awareness of eye involvement amongst patients with diabetes and their eye health seeking behaviour attending clinic at the University of Calabar teaching hospital (UCTH)/LIONS diabetic centre. Information obtained would guide the development of interventions aimed at improving their eye health seeking behaviour and subsequently prevent avoidable blindness.
Methods: - A cross- sectional descriptive study was conducted among adult diabetic patients, accessing treatment and support at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH)/ Lions diabetes centre. A total of 200 diabetic patients who met the inclusion criteria were recruited into the study using systematic sampling technique. Information was obtained from participants using an interviewer administered questionnaire and a protocol form. Data were summarised using frequencies, mean and standard deviations. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical review committee of UCTH.
Results: Two hundred participants were recruited into the study comprising of 49 males and 151 females giving a ratio of 1:3. The mean age of respondents was 53.8+ 11.7 years ranging from 21 — 79 years. The level of awareness of eye involvement was high 88%,
although less than one-fifth (14%) had undergone routine eye check. Eye health seeking behaviour amongst participants was poor at 30% in the study.
Conclusion: A high level of awareness of eye involvement was reported in this study, however this did not reflect in the eye health seeking behaviour and referral patterns of patients for diabetic eye screening. Intensive education is needed for both patients and
diabetic care givers at every level to improve attitude towards eye care and uptake of routine diabetic retinopathy screening.