Research Article
Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients Seeking Eye Care Services in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea
Table 3
Association between level of education of patients and their knowledge and awareness of DM and DR.
| | Variables | Level of education (%) | Total (%) | value | | <Secondary | ≥Secondary |
| | Can diabetes affect the eye or vision? | Yes | 50 (24.6) | 95 (46.8) | 145 (71.4) | 0.200 | | No | 26 (12.8) | 32 (15.8) | 58 (28.6) | |
| | How often do you check your eyes? | Only when vision is affected | 72 (35.5) | 118 (58.1) | 190 (93.6) | 0.764 | | Yearly | 3 (1.5) | 4 (2.0) | 7 (3.4) | | | Every 2 years | 0 (0.0) | 4 (2.0) | 4 (2.0) | | | Every 6 months | 1 (0.5) | 1 (0.5) | 2 (1.0) | |
| | Do you think that regular eye check-ups are necessary for diabetic patients? | Yes | 55 (27.1) | 106 (52.2) | 161 (79.3) | 0.073 | | No | 21 (10.3) | 21 (10.3) | 42 (20.7) | |
| | How often do you think a diabetic patient should go for eye check-ups? | Every 6 months | 36 (17.7) | 85 (41.9) | 121 (59.6) | 0.003 | | Only when vision is affected | 27 (13.3) | 23 (11.3) | 50 (24.6) | | | Yearly | 10 (4.9) | 18 (8.9) | 28 (13.8) | | | Every 2 years | 3 (1.5) | 1 (0.5) | 4 (2.0) | |
| | Can an individual with controlled diabetes avoid regular eye check-ups? | Yes | 29 (14.3) | 35 (17.2) | 64 (31.5) | 0.125 | | No | 46 (22.7) | 91 (44.8) | 139 (68.5) | |
| | Are you aware that diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness? | Yes | 43 (21.2) | 67 (33.0) | 110 (54.2) | 0.663 | | No | 33 (16.3) | 60 (29.6) | 93 (45.8) | |
| | Do you think that blood sugar control may reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy? | Yes | 51 (25.1) | 104 (51.2) | 155 (76.4) | 0.018 | | No | 25 (12.3) | 23 (11.3) | 48 (23.6) | |
| | Can diabetic retinopathy treatment restore normal eyesight? | Yes | 46 (22.7) | 79 (38.9) | 125 (61.6) | 0.882 | | No | 30 (14.8) | 48 (23.6) | 78 (38.4) | |
| | Where do you mostly obtain your information about diabetes and diabetic retinopathy? | Hospital or eye clinic | 34 (16.7) | 53 (26.1) | 87 (42.9) | <0.001 | | Friends and relatives | 14 (6.9) | 28 (13.8) | 42 (20.7) | | | No information | 24 (11.8) | 18 (8.9) | 42 (20.7) | | | The Internet | 1 (0.5) | 27 (13.3) | 28 (13.8) | | | Other sources | 3 (1.5) | 1 (0.5) | 4 (2.0) | |
| | Why do you think people with diabetes do not attend regular eye check-ups? | Lack of information | 35 (17.2) | 81 (39.9) | 116 (57.1) | 0.030 | | Fear of discovering something bad | 15 (7.4) | 18 (8.9) | 33 (16.3) | | | Cost of test | 6 (3.0) | 4 (2.0) | 10 (4.9) | | | Living in remote areas | 14 (6.9) | 18 (8.9) | 32 (15.8) | | | Lack of time | 5 (2.5) | 5 (2.5) | 10 (4.9) | | | Other reasons | 1 (0.5) | 1 (0.5) | 2 (1.0) | |
| | Total | 76 (37.4) | 127 (62.6) | 203 (100.0) | |
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