ABSTRACT
We present the level of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice [KAP] among diabetic patients regarding eye complications and their care. A cross sectional study was conducted in 2008 at seven regions of Oman. Arabic speaking nurses interviewed diabetics at clinics. They used a closed ended questionnaire with 15 questions. The responses were analyzed and the KAP were grouped into excellent [>80%], good [60 to 79%], average [40 to 59%], poor [20 to 39%] and very poor [<20%]. They were also compared among epidemiologic variants. Of the 750 participants, 'Excellent', grade of knowledge about diagnosis and eye care was present in 547 [72.9%] and 135 [18%] persons respectively. The 'excellent' grade of attitude about eye involvement and eye care was found in 135 [18%] and 224 [29.9%] participants. The practice for undergoing eye check up and accepting treatment was of 'excellent' grade in 390 [52%] and 594 [79.2%] respectively. Age [OR = 0.98], Sharqiya region [OR = 25] and '5 to 9' duration of DM [OR = 2.1] were associated with the knowledge. '<1 year' duration [OR = 0.3] and Dhakhiliya region [OR = 39] were associated with the attitude while '5 to 9 year' duration [OR = 3.4] was associated with better practices. Knowledge about eye complications and care is satisfactory among persons with diabetes. However, levels of attitude and practice were less than desired and should be improved. This could strengthen program approach for early detection and care of eye complications of diabetes in Oman
ABSTRACT
To compare the prevalence and incidence of glaucoma in 2005 of >/= 30 years-old Omani population. This was a retrospective review of health data type of study conducted in 2007. The study was conducted in the Eye and Ear Health Care Section, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Control, Ministry of Health, The prevalence of glaucoma was estimated through community based modified cluster type of survey. Incidence was estimated from Health Information and Management System [HIMS] Formula to calculate the prevalence from incidence of a chronic disease to compare these 2 estimates. We examined 3,324 persons of >30 years of age. The prevalence was 4.75% [95% confidence intervals 4.02-5.47] with an estimated 20,700 glaucoma cases in Oman. Ophthalmologists reported 1,290 new cases of glaucoma in the same age group. The incidence was 0.30%. The prevalence if calculated from the incidence rates among the population >/= 30 years of age would be 0.30x16.1=4.8%. The survey results are more reliable for policy making. However, HIMS could also generate reliable, periodic, low cost information on glaucoma that could help in estimating the prevalence, and monitoring the program approach to control glaucoma