Demographic Characteristics and Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy among Diabetic Patients Visiting a Tertiary Referral Eye Hospital in Eritrea

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the preventable causes of visual impairment and blindness in the world. In resource limiting country, treatment of diabetic retinopathy is very challenging. So, early diagnosis and appropriate preventive approach should be a mainstay of strategy. It is of utmost important issue to explore the status of awareness of diabetic patients about diabetic retinopathy in Eritrea. Objective: To study the demographic and general characteristics of diabetic patients and their awareness about diabetic retinopathy. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at Berhan Ayini Hospital (BAH) in Eritrea from January 2014 to August 2014. The study included all consecutive diabetic patients visiting the retina clinic. The study variables were demographic characteristics and awareness of diabetic patients on diabetic retinopathy. Result: The mean age of new diabetic patients visiting the clinic was 58.81 (12.97) years. For every three males attending the retina clinic, there were two females. Twenty-two % of the patients were illiterate. Awareness about diabetic eye diseases was found in 89.3% of patients. Conclusion: A high rate of awareness among patients about diabetic eye complications is encouraging. Less service utilization by female patients raises the questions of possible gender inequity in Eritrea. Diabetic retinopathy screening program should be conducted to increase attendance of diabetic patients before retinopathy develops in Eritrea.