Abstract:
Abstract
Background: The increased prevalence of visual impairment among diabetic patients
has become a major public health problem. There is, however, limited information
on the extent of visual impairment among diabetic patients in our country,
particularly in the study area. Providing updated data regarding this area is critical
for the prevention of visual impairment among diabetic patients.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment
among adult diabetic patients visiting Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia,
2022.
Methods:
A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on adult diabetic
patients from May 30 to July 15, 2022, at Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South
Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 398 study participants.
Data
was
collected
through
a
face-to-face
interview,
medical
chart
review,
and
an
ocular
examination.
A
binary
logistic
regression
was
performed
to
identify
potential
risk factors of visual impairment and their strength of association was expressed
using
an
adjusted
odds
ratio
with
a
95%
confidence
interval.
Variables
with
a
P-value
of
<
0.05
were
considered
statistically
significant.
Result:
In
this
study,
a
total
of
391
participants
were
involved,
with
a
response
rate
of
98.2%.
The
prevalence
of
visual
impairment
was
28.6%
(95%
CI:
24.6-33.0).
Age
?
60
years
(AOR
=
4.03,
95%
CI:
1.72,
10.71),
poor
physical
exercise
(AOR
=
3.26,
95%
CI:
1.62,
6.53),
poor
glycemic
control
(AOR
=
4.34,
95%
CI:
2.26,
8.34),
history
of
eye
examination
(AOR
=
2.94,
95%
CI:
1.50,
5.76),
duration
of
diabetes
?
9
years
(AOR
=
4.78,
95%
CI:
2.11,
10.83)
and
diabetic
peripheral
neuropathy
(AOR
=
3.01,
95%
CI:
1.21,
7.50)
were
positively
associated
with
visual
impairment.
Conclusion:
The
prevalence
of
visual
impairment
among
adult
diabetic
patients
was
lower
than studies done in Ethiopia. Older age, longer duration of diabetes, poor
physical exercise, poor glycemic control, no history of eye examination, and diabetic
peripheral neuropathy were significantly associated with visual impairment. Thus,
regular physical activity, good control of glucose levels, and regular eye exams were
recommended for all diabetic patients.
Keywords: Prevalence, Visual impairment, Diabetic patients, Hawassa, South Ethiopia
