Gambaran Tingkat Pengetahuan tentang Upaya Pencegahan Retinopati Diabetik pada Pasien Diabetes Melitus Tipe 2 di RSD dr. Soebandi Kabupaten Jember

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus that can lead to visual impairment and blindness. Early prevention is essential because diabetic retinopathy often develops without noticeable symptoms in its initial stages. Previous studies have shown that many patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus still have insufficient knowledge regarding eye examinations and diabetic retinopathy prevention, and the number of diabetic retinopathy cases at dr. Soebandi Regional Hospital has shown an increasing trend. This study aimed to describe the level of knowledge regarding diabetic retinopathy prevention among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at dr. Soebandi Regional Hospital, Jember Regency. This study was a quantitative descriptive exploratory study with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 220 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire on knowledge regarding diabetic retinopathy prevention and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The mean age of respondents was 54.40 ± 10.81 years. Most respondents were female (63.6%), unemployed (60.5%), had completed elementary school education (41.4%), and had been diagnosed with diabetes for 1–<5 years (40.9%). The majority of respondents had never received information regarding diabetic retinopathy prevention (79.5%). Overall, 137 respondents (62.3%) demonstrated good knowledge, 70 respondents (31.8%) had moderate knowledge, and 13 respondents (5.9%) had poor knowledge regarding diabetic retinopathy prevention. These findings indicate that most patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus possess a good level of knowledge regarding diabetic retinopathy prevention. Nevertheless, continuous health education is needed to improve patient awareness and support the prevention of diabetes-related visual complications.