Prevalence and factors associated with Diabetes retinopathy among type 2 diabetic patients at Northwest Amhara Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia 2021

INTRODUCTION: The worldwide prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy was recently estimated to be 34.6%. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in developed nations has been thoroughly investigated, and risk factors are well understood. However, there is a shortage of information in the study areas about the prevalence and contributing factors of diabetic retinopathy among type two diabetes patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and associated factor among type 2 diabetic patients who were on follow up services at northwest Amhara comprehensive specialized hospitals diabetic care units. METHOD: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted at northwest Amhara comprehensive specialized hospitals from October 15 to November 15, 2021, among 496 diabetes patients. Systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected by utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire and a direct Topcon retinal camera inspection. Then data were coded, entered, and exported to SPSS version 23 from EPI-Data version 4.6. All variables with P-value < 0.25 in the binary logistic regression analyses were included in the multivariable regression analysis. The degree of association was interpreted by using the adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals, and the significance level was declared at P-value < 0.05. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test was used to check the fitness of the model. RESULT: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among type two diabetes patients was 36.3%. Sex [AOR = 3.25, 95% CI (1.80, 6.68)], visiting health institution [AOR = 0.027, 95% CI (0.003, 0.253)], educational level [AOR = 4.23, 95% CI (1.09, 16.47)], glycemic control [AOR = 0.099, 95% CI (0.02, 0.49)], hypertension status (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI (1.01, 6.45)] were significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: In this study less than half of diabetic patients had diabetic retinopathy. Sex, visiting health institution, educational level, glycemic control, and hypertension status were significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy.