Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Among Medical Officers and Diabetic Patients Regarding Diabetic Retinopathy in Ogun State of Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) among Medical Officers (MO) and diabetic patients in Ogun State of Nigeria.
Design: This was a cross-sectional study.
Setting: Diabetic clinics based in three hospitals in Ogun state.
Methods: Medical officers in all the general hospitals were interviewed via telephone while one teaching hospital and two state hospitals were randomly selected to conduct face-to-face interviews with diabetic patients. Data obtained from these interviews was filled into a structured questionnaire.
Results: All the medical officers in the general hospitals were aware that DM affects the eyes while 43% believed that diabetic patients need a monthly eye examination. About 36% examined the eyes of diabetic patients on each visit. All medical officers would refer a diabetic with poor vision to an ophthalmologist. Majority (75%) of the patients recruited were female. Fifty-one per cent of patients were not aware that diabetes affects the eyes while only 35% had ever had a fundoscopy.
Conclusions: The medical officers in the general hospitals in the state are all aware that diabetes can cause DR but don’t have eye clinics. Less than half of them (43%) screen for DR. Known diabetics are not having regular eye examination.