Research Article
Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients Seeking Eye Care Services in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea
Table 5
Association between the diabetic status of patients’ close relations and their knowledge and awareness of DM and DR.
| | Variables | Is any of your relatives or friends a diabetic patient? | Total (%) | value | | Yes | No |
| | Can diabetes affect the eye or vision? | Yes | 57 (28.1) | 88 (43.3) | 145 (71.4) | 0.014 | | No | 12 (5.9) | 46 (22.7) | 58 (28.6) | |
| | How often do you check your eyes? | Only when vision is affected | 62 (30.5) | 128 (63.1) | 190 (93.6) | 0.079 | | Yearly | 5 (24.6) | 2 (1.0) | 7 (3.4) | | | Every 2 years | 1 (0.5) | 3 (1.5) | 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 | 62 (30.5) | 99 (48.8) | 161 (79.3) | 0.010 | | No | 7 (3.4) | 35 (17.2) | 42 (20.7) | |
| | How often do you think a diabetic patient should go for eye check-ups? | Every 6 months | 48 (23.6) | 73 (36.0) | 121 (59.6) | 0.006 | | Only when vision is affected | 7 (3.4) | 43 (21.2) | 50 (24.6) | | | Yearly | 13 (6.4) | 15 (7.4) | 28 (13.8) | | | Every 2 years | 1 (0.5) | 3 (1.5) | 4 (2.0) | |
| | Can an individual with controlled diabetes avoid regular eye check-ups? | Yes | 20 (9.9) | 44 (21.7) | 64 (31.5) | 0.634 | | No | 49 (24.1) | 88 (43.3) | 139 (68.5) | |
| | Are you aware that diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness? | Yes | 41 (20.2) | 69 (34.0) | 110 (54.2) | 0.301 | | No | 28 (13.8) | 65 (32.0) | 93 (45.8) | |
| | Do you think that blood sugar control may reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy? | Yes | 59 (29.21) | 96 (47.3) | 155 (76.4) | 0.036 | | No | 10 (4.9) | 38 (18.7) | 48 (23.6) | |
| | Can diabetic retinopathy treatment restore normal eyesight? | Yes | 46 (22.7) | 79 (38.9) | 125 (61.6) | 0.292 | | No | 23 (11.3) | 55 (27.1) | 78 (38.4) | |
| | Where do you mostly obtain your information about diabetes and diabetic retinopathy? | Hospital or eye clinic | 31 (15.3) | 56 (27.6) | 87 (42.9) | 0.348 | | Friends and relatives | 17 (8.4) | 25 (12.3) | 42 (20.7) | | | No information | 10 (4.9) | 32 (15.8) | 42 (20.7) | | | The Internet | 10 (4.9) | 18 (8.9) | 28 (13.8) | | | Other sources | 1 (0.5) | 3 (1.5) | 4 (2.0) | |
| | Why do you think people with diabetes do not attend regular eye check-ups? | Lack of information | 41 (20.2) | 75 (36.9) | 116 (57.1) | 0.936 | | Fear of discovering something bad | 11 (5.4) | 22 (10.8) | 33 (16.3) | | | Cost of test | 3 (1.5) | 7 (3.4) | 10 (4.9) | | | Living in remote areas | 13 (6.4) | 19 (9.5) | 32 (15.8) | | | Lack of time | 1 (0.5) | 9 (4.4) | 10 (4.9) | | | Other reasons | 0 (0.0) | 2 (1.0) | 2 (1.0) | |
| | Total | 69 (34.0) | 134 (66.0) | 203 (100.0) | |
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