Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients Seeking Eye Care Services in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Purpose. To assess the knowledge and awareness of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy among ophthalmic patients in Madang. Materials and Methods. This was a hospital-based study conducted at Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic in Papua New Guinea. The study included all patients who visited the facility during the period of the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the patients’ demographics and their knowledge and awareness about diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Results. A total of 203 (97.6%) patients consented and participated in the study out of 208 patients who were approached. The age of participants ranged from 19 to 78 years with a median (IQR) of 41 (53–29) years. 107 (52.7%) were female participants. A majority of the participants (62.6%) had at least secondary education. A few of the participants (3.9%) had known diabetes, and 134 (66%) had no relatives or friends with diabetes. A total of 145 (71.4%) participants knew that diabetes can affect the eye. Most of the participants (93.6%) checked their eyes only when their vision was affected, 161 (79.3%) agreed that regular eye checks are necessary, and more than half (54.2%) knew that diabetes can lead to blindness. Age, gender, level of education, and whether a participant or participant’s friends and relatives had been diagnosed with diabetes were significantly associated with the knowledge and awareness of participants about diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Conclusion. A majority of the participants had good knowledge of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Health education and promotion will also help increase the awareness of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in the country.

Prevalence of Risk Factors of Retinal Diseases among Patients in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

“…e prevalence of self-reported diabetes (3.1%) was similar to that of a recent cross-sectional study among ophthalmic patients at Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic (3.9%) [23].…”

“…e rapid assessment of avoidable blindness study also identified posterior segment diseases, DR, and AMD as principal causes of visual impairment and blindness in PNG [22]. More recently, Owusu-Afriyie et al [23] indicated that the majority of ophthalmic patients in Madang province (93.6%) sort for eye care services only when the problem affects their eyesight. Yet to date, there is no study to estimate the prevalence of risk factors of retinal morbidities in PNG.…”

Epidemiology of eye diseases: outcomes from a free provincial eye clinic in Papua New Guinea

“…The adult patients in this study recorded large numbers of corneal ulcers and keratitis and refractive error as the main ocular problems ( Table 4 ). In Madang and PNG, most of the people conduct their daily activities in an open environment engaging in farming ( 16 , 36 ), trading ( 36 ), welding and carpentry without using protective eyewear. In addition, tribal conflicts and domestic violence are common.…”

“…Therefore, their first line of action is not a hospital visit. Nearly all patients who recently visited the Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic reported that they only sought for eye care services when their vision was threatened ( 36 ). Corneal ulcers and keratitis are potential sight threatening morbidities ( 10 , 37 , 38 ), therefore it is necessary that the public are well educated about the benefits of protective eyewear and timely reporting of eye problems to prevent blindness associated with cornea disorders as this may lead to significant loss of productivity in the country.…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Eye Management Among Diabetics in Saudi Arabia

“…According to several studies [ 14 - 16 ], many patients do not participate in DR screening because of a lack of awareness. In fact, patients’ awareness of DR was either inadequate or nonexistent [ 17 ].…”