Abstract
To report the results of a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study related to diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension and diabetic retinopathy (DR) of patient populations in India at different levels (Tertiary (T), Secondary (S) and Primary (P)) of a pyramidal model of eye health care. In total, 202 participants, composed of equal numbers of diabetic and non-diabetic patients at a Tertiary urban facility (T), a Secondary rural facility (S) and a Primary (P) community-screening program, were surveyed on their knowledge, knowledge sources, attitudes, practices and factors that motivate use of eye health services. People with diabetes had a higher mean knowledge and attitude score about DM, hypertension and DR (67.3% T, 59.4% S, 47.0% P) than non-diabetics (41.8% T, 29.0% S, 23.5% P; p<0.001). Awareness of DR was more 65.3% among diabetics compared with 22.0% among non-diabetics at all locations. Most participants in all locations were aware of hypertension (84.0% T, 65.3% S, 52.9% P), but few knew it could affect the eyes (30.0% T, 12.2% S, 13.7% P) or be associated with diabetic complications (30.0% T, 32.7% S, 21.8% P). Many participants had never previously had a dilated eye examination (2% T, 40% S, 50% P). Participants were motivated to visit an eye facility for a routine checkup (70.6%), poor vision (22.6%) or a glucose/blood pressure test (17.7%) at a Primary-level facility and for follow-up or poor vision at the other facilities (28% and 42% Tertiary, 50% and 30% Secondary). Practice-oriented education and advertising of facilities tailored for the relevant populations at each level of an eye health pyramid and continuation of fundus, glucose and blood pressure screening programs can help in creating awareness about diabetes, hypertension and diabetic retinopathy.
Highlights
IntroductionTo report the results of a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study related to diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension and diabetic retinopathy (DR) of patient populations in India at different levels (Tertiary (T), Secondary (S)FULL ARTICLE: IntroductionDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing health concern worldwide, and a disproportionate increase in prevalence is expected to occur in India within the two decades, from 62 million currently − a fifth of the world’s diabetic population − to 80 million by 2030.1-3 People with DM have high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (DR), and the risk is increased when DM is associated with hypertension.[4,5,6] Preventive care through regular eye examinations and proper management of DM and hypertension can reduce the risk of vision loss from DR, though knowledge of these conditions is low in the Indian population.[4,5,7,8] Previous studies have reported that only about 50% of a rural South Indian population had knowledge of DM and one-third had knowledge of DR.[8]
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing health concern worldwide, and a disproportionate increase in prevalence is expected to occur in India within the two decades, from 62 million currently − a fifth of the world’s diabetic population − to 80 million by 2030.1-3 People with DM have high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (DR), and the risk is increased when DM is associated with hypertension.[4,5,6]
Preventive care through regular eye examinations and proper management of DM and hypertension can reduce the risk of vision loss from DR, though knowledge of these conditions is low in the Indian population.[4,5,7,8]
Summary
To report the results of a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study related to diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension and diabetic retinopathy (DR) of patient populations in India at different levels (Tertiary (T), Secondary (S)FULL ARTICLE: IntroductionDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing health concern worldwide, and a disproportionate increase in prevalence is expected to occur in India within the two decades, from 62 million currently − a fifth of the world’s diabetic population − to 80 million by 2030.1-3 People with DM have high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (DR), and the risk is increased when DM is associated with hypertension.[4,5,6] Preventive care through regular eye examinations and proper management of DM and hypertension can reduce the risk of vision loss from DR, though knowledge of these conditions is low in the Indian population.[4,5,7,8] Previous studies have reported that only about 50% of a rural South Indian population had knowledge of DM and one-third had knowledge of DR.[8]. To report the results of a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study related to diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension and diabetic retinopathy (DR) of patient populations in India at different levels (Tertiary (T), Secondary (S). Attitude, and practices (KAP) studies have been conducted in either rural or urban populations and were focused on DM and/or DR.[6,7,8,10,11,12] There is paucity of KAP information on hypertension, which is a comorbidity risk factor for DR.[9] there are no comparative KAP studies of DM and DR across levels of a pyramidal model of eye care delivery from a village to a metropolis. The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) works on a comprehensive integrated pyramidal model of community-based Primary and Secondary eye care in underserved rural areas linked to urban Tertiary-level care in four states of India. Diabetes and hypertension screening are integrated into the LVPEI eye care model as part of comprehensive care for patients with DM and hypertension, and their related eye complications.[13]
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