Investigation of awareness of diabetic retinopathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Investigation of Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate awareness about diabetic retinopathy (DRP) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: Our research is a cross-sectional descriptive study. 250 individuals, who are type 2 diabetes mellitus disease, who were referred to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital Eye Diseases clinic for diabetic retinopathy were included in the study. The research data were collected between October 2019 and January 2020. As a data collection tool, a questionnaire with 27 questions prepared by examining the literature was used. Results: 49.6% of the participants included in the study are female and 50.4% are male and their average age is 53.5 ± 6.9 (min: 39, max: 73) years. Diabetic retinopathy is present in 42% of the participants. A significant correlation was found between the participants' age, educational status, income status, body mass index and physical activity level and the presence of DRP (p <0.05). The relationship between the gender of the participants and the presence of DRP is not significant (p> 0.05). There is a significant relationship between participants' educational status and income status and their answers to awareness questions (p <0.05). There is no significant relationship between the participants' age and gender and their answers to awareness questions (p> 0.05). Conclusion: In our study, it was concluded that people with low education level, less frequent physical activity and low income level were more likely to develop DRP. Encouraging the society to physical activity, increasing the opportunities of physical activity in public spaces, organizing health education programs on diabetic retinopathy through mass media, knowing and implementing the health education to be given is also important for the elderly, people with low education and income levels, and raising awareness in the society. In this way, we believe that blindness, labor losses and health expenditures that may develop due to DRP will decrease. Key Words: Diabetic Retinopathy, Awareness of Retinopathy, Diabetes Mellitus