Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in community ophthalmology clinics, Brunei Darussalam

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a significant public health issue in Brunei Darussalam and all diabetics are at risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Awareness of DR is one of the key factors in lowering the risk of developing it. This study aims to evaluate awareness, knowledge, and attitude (AKA) re...

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Main Authors: Ikrami Azmi, Farhana Ariffin, Mohan Ramalingam, Ted Maddess, Siti Nurliyana Abdullah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jcor.jcor_186_24
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author Ikrami Azmi
Farhana Ariffin
Mohan Ramalingam
Ted Maddess
Siti Nurliyana Abdullah
author_facet Ikrami Azmi
Farhana Ariffin
Mohan Ramalingam
Ted Maddess
Siti Nurliyana Abdullah
author_sort Ikrami Azmi
collection DOAJ
description Background: Diabetes mellitus is a significant public health issue in Brunei Darussalam and all diabetics are at risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Awareness of DR is one of the key factors in lowering the risk of developing it. This study aims to evaluate awareness, knowledge, and attitude (AKA) regarding DR among diabetic patients in the Brunei-Muara district who attended community ophthalmology clinics for diabetic eye screening. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between May 2024 to August 2024, using self-administered and self-designed questionnaires. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants from four clinics. Data collected were on sociodemographic characteristics and the three AKA domains. The analysis was performed using multiple linear regression models, with P< 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 407 participants completed the questionnaires. The results showed that 83.5% of patients were aware that diabetes could lead to blindness. Nearly all participants (90.7%) recognized the importance of controlling blood sugar level to reduce the risk of DR, and most (86.0%) were aware of the correct screening intervals, although 18.7% believed traditional medicine could treat DR. Participants attitudes were high towards management of DR. The significant predictors for higher AKA scores were higher income, longer duration of diabetes, and non-smoker in the Multiple Linear Regression models (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Despite the overall high awareness and attitude of DR, there is a need to improve knowledge regarding treatment options and dispel misconceptions about traditional medicine, particularly among those with lower socioeconomic status.
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spelling doaj-art-73e18346caaa46b0a0ce8df4c5cda7942025-08-20T02:03:08ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research2320-38972320-39002025-04-0113215816510.4103/jcor.jcor_186_24Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in community ophthalmology clinics, Brunei DarussalamIkrami AzmiFarhana AriffinMohan RamalingamTed MaddessSiti Nurliyana AbdullahBackground: Diabetes mellitus is a significant public health issue in Brunei Darussalam and all diabetics are at risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Awareness of DR is one of the key factors in lowering the risk of developing it. This study aims to evaluate awareness, knowledge, and attitude (AKA) regarding DR among diabetic patients in the Brunei-Muara district who attended community ophthalmology clinics for diabetic eye screening. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between May 2024 to August 2024, using self-administered and self-designed questionnaires. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants from four clinics. Data collected were on sociodemographic characteristics and the three AKA domains. The analysis was performed using multiple linear regression models, with P< 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 407 participants completed the questionnaires. The results showed that 83.5% of patients were aware that diabetes could lead to blindness. Nearly all participants (90.7%) recognized the importance of controlling blood sugar level to reduce the risk of DR, and most (86.0%) were aware of the correct screening intervals, although 18.7% believed traditional medicine could treat DR. Participants attitudes were high towards management of DR. The significant predictors for higher AKA scores were higher income, longer duration of diabetes, and non-smoker in the Multiple Linear Regression models (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Despite the overall high awareness and attitude of DR, there is a need to improve knowledge regarding treatment options and dispel misconceptions about traditional medicine, particularly among those with lower socioeconomic status.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jcor.jcor_186_24awarenessdiabetes mellitusdiabetic retinopathyknowledge
spellingShingle Ikrami Azmi
Farhana Ariffin
Mohan Ramalingam
Ted Maddess
Siti Nurliyana Abdullah
Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in community ophthalmology clinics, Brunei Darussalam
Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research
awareness
diabetes mellitus
diabetic retinopathy
knowledge
title Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in community ophthalmology clinics, Brunei Darussalam
title_full Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in community ophthalmology clinics, Brunei Darussalam
title_fullStr Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in community ophthalmology clinics, Brunei Darussalam
title_full_unstemmed Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in community ophthalmology clinics, Brunei Darussalam
title_short Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in community ophthalmology clinics, Brunei Darussalam
title_sort awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in community ophthalmology clinics brunei darussalam
topic awareness
diabetes mellitus
diabetic retinopathy
knowledge
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jcor.jcor_186_24
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