Effectiveness of an intervention module in improving the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding diabetic retinopathy in diabetic individuals in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Coastal Karnataka

Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an intervention module in improving the Knowledge,Awareness,and Practices(KAP) related to Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) in diabetic individuals. Method: A hospital based prospective study regarding their awareness on Diabetic Retinopathy was conducted on 142 diabetic patients who visited the Department of General Medicine as Outpatients(OP) and Inpatients(IP) between October 2017 and April 2018.A semi-structured open-ended questionnaire based on demographic details, literacy levels,awareness of risk factors and management of diabetic retinopathy considering knowledge,attitude,and practice was administered to the participants. Results: All the 142 diabetic individuals attending the Department of General Medicine as OP & IP were aware that diabetes can cause eye disease(93 males,27 females;mean age=52 years).The awareness that diabetes is a hereditary disease was high(80%).76% of respondents knew that timely treatment could prevent damage to the eyes due to diabetes.91% of respondents knew that controlling diabetes was essential to prevent diabetic retinopathy. However,only 85% of them knew that good control of diabetes was important for prevention of visual impairment.