Knowledge, Beliefs and Practices of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica

• Published in: Journal of community health Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 584 - 592
• Main Authors: Foster, Tecah, Mowatt, Lizette, Mullings, Jasneth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer Science + Business Media 01.06.2016; Springer US; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging (Individuals); Beliefs; Blindness; Body Composition; Community and Environmental Psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetic retinopathy; Diabetic Retinopathy - diagnosis; Diabetic Retinopathy - therapy; Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological - utilization; Ethics; Female; Females; Health behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Hospitals; Hospitals, University; Humans; Jamaica; Knowledge; Male; Males; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; ORIGINAL PAPER; Patient Compliance; Patients; Prospective Studies; Public Health; Scientific Concepts; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Statistical Analysis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Visual Acuity; Young Adult; West Indies; ASW, Caribbean Sea, West Indies; ASW, Caribbean Sea, Greater Antilles, Jamaica; Practices; Diabetic retinopathy; Jamaica; Beliefs; Knowledge
• ISSN: 0094-5145; 1573-3610
• DOI: 10.1007/s10900-015-0133-y

To determine the knowledge, beliefs and practices of patients with diabetic retinopathy attending the Retina Eye Clinic at the University Hospital of the West Indies. A prospective study was done using a questionnaire with a sample population of 150 patients. The questions included their knowledge about the frequency of their eye examination, the relevance of exercise and a healthy diet, the role of the ophthalmologist and their views on the importance of compliance with medications for diabetes and hypertension. One hundred and fifty patients were recruited. Sixty six percent (99/150) were females and 34 % (51/150) males. The ages ranged from 29 to 83 years (mean ± SD, 56.1 ± 10.3) years. Type II diabetes was more common; 63 and 79 % of females and males respectively. A minority (19.8 %) obtained tertiary education. The mean % knowledge scores were 86 ± 14 for males and 82.8 ± 16.4 for females (p = 0.260). Prior to attending the retina clinic, 50 % were unaware of the need for annual eye examinations. Compliance with medication, exercise and a special diet was seen in 73, 40.3 and 49.7 % respectively. Current knowledge scores were good. However, knowledge about the timing and frequency of eye examinations prior to attending the retina clinic was inadequate. Correct knowledge and beliefs did not correspond to a high level of compliant practices.