Gambaran Tingkat Pengetahuan Penderita Retinopati Diabetik terhadap Pencegahan Komplikasi Retinopati Diabetik di Rumah Sakit Prof. dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara dan Rumah Sakit Jejaring

Abstract

Background. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the chronic complications of diabetes mellitus that can lead to blindness. Patients’ knowledge about diabetic retinopathy plays an important role in preventing further complications. Objective. This study aims to describe the level of knowledge of diabetic retinopathy patients regarding the prevention of diabetic retinopathy complications at Prof. dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, INDONESIA, and its affiliated hospitals. Method. This research was a quantitative descriptive study with a cross sectional approach. The sample consisted of 111 respondents selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Diabetic Retinopathy Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire (KAP), which had been tested for validity and reliability. Data were analyzed descriptively using IBM SPSS Statistics. Results. Most respondents had a poor level of knowledge (51.4%), while 48.6% had good knowledge. More than half of the respondents (53.2%) were aware that blindness is a major complication, yet many still lacked understanding about disease management such as laser therapy and intravitreal injections. Respondents who had received prior information about diabetic retinopathy tended to have better knowledge (87.3%). Conclusion. The knowledge level of diabetic retinopathy patients regarding complication prevention remains low. Continuous health education is needed to improve patients’ awareness of the importance of regular eye examinations and blood glucose control to prevent blindness.