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New research · Ophthalmology
Scientific reports · 23h
Cross-sectionalScientific reports · 2026

Utilization of eye care services and associated factors among adults with diabetes mellitus attending a tertiary teaching hospital in Northern Uganda.

Timothy Alem, Morrish Obol Okello, Jerome Ochieng … Francis Sebabi Onen
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OphthalmologyCross-sectional

Less than half of diabetic patients had an eye check-up in five years.

Utilization of eye care services and associated factors among adults with diabetes mellitus attending a tertiary teaching hospital in Northern Uganda.

Timothy Alem … Francis Sebabi Onen
Scientific reports · 2026
Background

Diabetic retinopathy and vascular complications are significant causes of visual impairment with diabetes mellitus (diabetes mellitus), yet eye care service utilization remains low in many low-income settings.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to November 2024.

n = 419 participants
Results

less than half got a diabetes-related eye exam in five years

AOR by subgroup · 95% CI
null = 1
Attaining secondary
2.99
DM duration of 1–5 years
2.12
5–10 years
4.15
≥ 10 years
3.60
good knowledge of diabetes-related eye
1.57
More results

Adults aged ≥ 18 years were consecutively enrolled.

A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The median age was 54 years (IQR: 40–65), with 70.4% (n = 295) female and 94.0% (n = 394) having Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

More results

Less than half of diabetic patients at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital utilized eye care services in the past five years, with higher education, longer diabetes duration, and knowledge of ocular complications significantly associated with utilization.

“
Conclusion

Limitations include potential recall bias and single-center design.

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