OEU Kenya Kitale DR quantitative study report 2018

Diabetes is an emerging major cause of blindness in the world. In 2016, Kenya launched an ambitious project to screen all diabetic patients attended at referral hospitals for DR using retina cameras and treat those in need. Scientific data is needed to inform creation the hospital-based screening projects and this was the first study to provide such evidence. The study was conducted between March and April 2018 at diabetic medical clinic of Kitale level 5 Hospital in Trans-Nzoia County. It was funded by Seeing is Believing through the Operation Eyesight Universal. The objectives were to measure prevalence of DR in patients 18+ years old, assess accuracy of the made diagnosis using retina photographs, estimate prevalence of known risk factors and audit resources and services for DR.

This was a cross-sectional study approved by the Institutional Research and Ethics Committee of Moi University and management of Kitale hospital. Informed consent was taken followed by: visual acuity, dilatation of pupils, taking of retina photos by a validated technician, clinical examination by a validated eye doctor and review of patient`s files for risk factors. Retina photos were further assessed by a retina specialist. Audit of resources and services was done through interviews with hospital workers. Data was managed and analysed by an epidemiologist.