TITLE:
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Diabetic Patients on Ocular Complications of Diabetes in Lomé (Togo)
AUTHORS:
Kokou Vonor, Kossi Kodjo, Kwam Dodji Godwin, Yaovi Tété, Koffi Didier Ayéna, Méba Banla, Komi Patrice Balo
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Eye Complications, Diabetes, Lomé
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases,
Vol.12 No.9,
September
30,
2022
ABSTRACT: Introduction:The frequency and
severity of eye complications from diabetes make patient education essential,
which is the basis for adequate management. What is the level of education of
diabetic patients in Lomé? The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge,
attitudes and practices of diabetic patients on the ocular complications of
diabetes in Lomé. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study by
surveys on diabetic patients from April 1 to June 31,
2020, in 6 diabetes management centers in Lomé. The
correct response rate was established for each component. Knowledge: poor (≤ 50%), low (50% - 65%), medium (65% - 85%) and good (≥ 85%). Attitudes: harmful (≤ 50%), erroneous (50% - 65%), approximate (65% - 85%) and fair (≥ 85%). Practice: harmful (≤ 50%), inadequate (50% - 65%) and adequate (>65%). Results: Over the study period, 150 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 56.98 ± 13.37
years with a sex ratio of 1.1 (79 men/71 women). The overall level of knowledge
was insufficient (50.6%) with 65.5% for general knowledge about diabetes and
35.8% for ocular complications of diabetes. Attitudes were approximate (68.7%). In the case of
hyperglycemia, 31.3% of patients would confide in a diabetologist and 22.0% in a
general practitioner. If decrease in vision,
84.3% of patients would contact the
ophthalmologist. The level of practice was harmful (20.4%). For diabetic
follow-up, 36.7% of patients have already seen an
ophthalmologist, 41.3% have performed a fundus examination, 17.3% retinal
angiography, 4% laser retinal photocoagulation and 2.7% intravitreal injection
(IVT). An awareness session on the ocular complications of diabetes was followed
by 52.7% of patients and 50.7% of patients followed a therapeutic education
session. Conclusion: This study has shown that the level of knowledge was poor, attitudes approximate and
practices harmful. It is therefore important to raise awareness about diabetes
and its ocular complications with the aim to
change behavior.