Open AccessEstudio cualitativo sobre el conocimiento de los riesgos de la salud visual asociados con la Diabetes tipo II en Lagos, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Valerie Umaefulam
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
revista facultad de ciencias de la salud udes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2422-1074
DOI - 10.20320/rfcsudes.v2i2.56
Subject(s) - medicine , nonprobability sampling , thematic analysis , diabetes mellitus , diabetic retinopathy , qualitative research , visual impairment , public health , health care , type 2 diabetes , optometry , health literacy , blindness , gerontology , nursing , family medicine , environmental health , population , psychiatry , political science , sociology , social science , law , endocrinology
Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem and its burden is expected to increase in developing countries such as Nigeria. One of the most frequent complications of type II diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, and a major cause of blindness worldwide especially among adults. Objective: To determine the awareness of diabetes – related eye health risks and complications among type II diabetics in Lagos, Nigeria. Method: The study was carried out in Rhowil Medical Centre in Lagos, Nigeria and adopted qualitative methodology. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews. Interviews were carried out on nine type II diabetes patients above the age of eighteen via purposive sampling. The interviews were analyzed based on Kvale’s framework for the qualitative data analysis. Results: Knowledge of diabetes, sources of information, cultural health beliefs and practices, and communication were themes that emerged from the thematic analysis. The data revealed significant gaps in awareness of diabetes-related eye complications amongst type II diabetics. Data showed poor knowledge of diabetes-related eye diseases and of inadequate awareness of the connection between diabetes and ocular complications. Also, education, health literacy and communication barrier problems between health professionals and diabetic patients were also evident. In addition, sources of information on diabetes and eye care, as well as health beliefs influenced awareness. Conclusion: Findings from this study can inform strategic plans of public health authorities in addressing the growing diabetes epidemic by developing effective health education programs with the aim to increase awareness amongst people living with diabetes in the region.