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Attitudes and Awareness Towards Diabetic Retinopathy Among Patients with Diabetes in Amman, Jordan
Authors Al-latayfeh M, Shatnawi R, Al Shdaifat AA
Received 19 January 2021
Accepted for publication 9 March 2021
Published 26 March 2021 Volume 2021:14 Pages 1425—1430
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S302554
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
Editor who approved publication: Prof. Dr. Juei-Tang Cheng
Motasem Al-latayfeh,1 Raed Shatnawi,1 Amjad A Al Shdaifat2
1Department of General and Special Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; 2Department of Medicine and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
Correspondence: Motasem Al-latayfeh
The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 1134, Amman, 11947, Jordan
Email [email protected]
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the attitudes and awareness about the development of retinopathy among the patients suffering from diabetes in Amman, Jordan.
Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among patients with diabetes visiting internal medicine and endocrinology clinics in a tertiary hospital, in addition to a primary health care center in Amman. The questionnaire inquired about retinopathy awareness, history of screening for retinopathy, and awareness about retinopathy treatment. The patients were also asked about risk factors and preventive measures for diabetic retinopathy management.
Results: A total of 303 patients were recruited in the study. Majority of the patients (77%) had their HbA1c levels tested at least once since diagnosis, and most of them (60%) do it regularly. However, 86% of patients reported an A1c > 6.5%. Two thirds of patients are not aware about retinopathy being a recognized complication of diabetes. Lower level of education, female sex, younger age, and shorter duration of diabetes mellitus were associated with less awareness.
Conclusion: The study concluded that majority of patients with diabetes were aware of diabetes management. However, the sample population indicated less awareness of diabetic retinopathy. Hence, more educational efforts are needed to further boost patients’ awareness about diabetic retinopathy.
Keywords: awareness, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, Jordan
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