Diabetic retinopathy and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes at Asella Referral hospital, Ethiopia: a hospital based cross-sectional study

Concern over diabetic retinopathy in Ethiopia is increasing due to the rising burden of diabetes mellitus. However, data on its prevalence and associated behavioral and clinical factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus remains limited. To assess magnitude of diabetic retinopathy and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes on follow-up at the diabetic clinic of Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital. An institution-based cross-sectional study involving 428 randomly selected patients with type 2 diabetes was conducted at the Diabetes Clinic of Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital. A descriptive analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy. Multivariable logistic regression were conducted to determine the factors associated with diabetic retinopathy at α = 0.05 using adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Of the 428 participants, 53 (12.4%) had diabetic retinopathy (95% CI: 9.4, 15.9). Dyslipidemia (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.538, 95% CI: 1.190, 5.412), poor medication adherence (AOR = 3.706, 95% CI: 1.730, 7.940), presence of other complications of diabetes (AOR = 2.537, 95% CI: 1.10, 5.850), and regular physical exercise (AOR = 0.048, 95% CI: 0.004, 0.565) were factors associated with diabetic retinopathy. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in this study is lower than previous studies. Dyslipidemia, regular exercise, medication adherence, and the presence of other diabetic complications were associated with diabetic retinopathy. Strengthening patient education to promote medication adherence and exercise, as well as early screening for comorbidities and diabetes complications, is recommended to reduce the burden of diabetic retinopathy.