Shoumya Jyoti Datta Mazumder
Vivekananda Mission Asram Netra Niramay Niketan, India
Title: Diabetic Retinopathy: An experiment with behavior change communication program
Biography
Biography: Shoumya Jyoti Datta Mazumder
Abstract
Purpose: To look at how the status of awareness, attitude, practice and economy of any given population suffer from diabetic retinopathy (DR) is far more important than only clinical diagnosis and evaluation.
Material & Methods: We selected and covered around 1 million populations (exact figure 1014976) surrounding our base hospital (average distance 26 km). Out of the total population around 0.25 million people (23.6%) projected to be below poverty line. We did a baseline KAP study for diagnosing basic educational status of the population regarding the disease. Considering the recommendations of the study we had designed our awareness activities around the area along with financial support for examination and treatment at base hospital from 2008 to 2011. We then observed the impact of service uptake at the base hospital during the project period and after.
Result: We recognized rise (mean 51.75%) of DR patients at base hospital for evaluation and treatment during 4-year project period as compared to 2007 and fall (mean 17.15%) of DR patient in 2012 to 2015 as compared to project period, still maintaining rise (mean 34.6%) as compared to 2007.
Conclusion: Despite multitude of treatment options, appropriate awareness and square funding is the mainstay of early detection and prevention of moderate to severe vision loss and related morbidity due to DR.