Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy among Type II Diabetic Patients Attending at King Salman Armed Forced Hospital-Primary Health Care, Tabuk 2019.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy refers to vascular disease of the retina that affects patients who have been diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus. Information about DR must be spread the population, especially diabetic patients. Tools for DR screening are available and easy to access. No similar study was carried out in Tabuk to assess awareness of DR among type II diabetic patients up to our knowledge.

AIM: To assess awareness of diabetic retinopathy among type II diabetic patients.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study carried out in Tabuk city at King Salman Armed Forced Hospital-Primary Health Care Centers among type II diabetic patients attending at the period of study (n = 382) to assess their awareness about diabetic retinopathy.

RESULTS: Out of 382 diabetics patients, (41.4%) had DM less than 5 years, (34.8%) had DM more than 10 years, and (23.8%) had DM between 5-10 years, (30.1%) had university degree, (42.4%) considered having low income, (57.6%) were screened for DR in the past year, (18.1%) of participant think that Seeing optometrist is enough for DR diagnosis. The total knowledge score about DR with a mean ± SD of 6.4 ± 1.5, indicating poor knowledge level, where 180 (47.1%) had poor knowledge, 106 (27.7%) had moderate knowledge, and 96 (25.2%) had good knowledge.

CONCLUSION: Almost the Awareness of Type II Diabetic Patients Attending at king Salman Armed Forced Hospital-Primary Health Care centre regarding Diabetic Retinopathy needs to be improved.