Getasew Alemu Mersha*, Yezinash Addis Alimaw, Mikias Mered Tilahun, Tarkegn Cheklie Zeleke and Asamere Tsegaw Woredekal
Aim: To assess the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its associated risk factors among adult diabetes at Debre Tabor General Hospital, Debre Tabor, Northwest, Ethiopia.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted at Debre Tabor General Hospital from June 29-August 28, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Interviewer based semistructured questioner, document review and physical examination were applied to collect the data. Labeling of diabetic retinopathy was done based on the Proposed International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy and Severity Scale. Only the eye with the higher grade of retinopathy for each participant was included.
Result: A total of 306 participants completed the study with a response rate of 97.7%. The median duration of diabetes was 4 (Range=7) years. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 31.4% (95% Confidence Interval: 26.1%-36.3%). Low family monthly income (Adjusted Odds Ratio=7.4, 95% Confidence Interval 2.4-22.9), longer duration of diabetes (Adjusted Odds Ratio=27, 95% Confidence Interval 11.5-63.6) and poor glycemic control (Adjusted Odds Ratio=3.2, 95%Confidence Interval 1.5-6.7) were significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy washigh. Coordinated early screening of diabetic retinopathy in all adult diabetes was recommended.