Risk Factors Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients Aged 50-75 Years Attending Diabetic Clinic at Mbagathi Hospital Nairobi County, Kenya

Background: According to research, nearly 60% of persons with type 1 diabetes are likely to experience diabetes retinopathy after 20 years after the initial diagnosis of diabetes type 1. Nearly 40 % of all persons with unrestrained type 2 diabetes are likely to experience diabetes retinopathy during their lifetime. Objective: The study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with Diabetes Retinopathy among patients aged between 50 - 75 years seeking care at Mbagathi Hospital Nairobi County, Kenya. Method: This study used an analytical cross-sectional study design. A systematic random sampling design was used to recruit study partakers. The sample size for this study was 151 study respondents. Both Bivariate and binary logistic regression techniques were also utilized to evaluate the degree of association between the independent and the dependent variable. Statistical significance was set at p=<0.05. Results: The prevalence of diabetes retinopathy (non-proliferati ve diabetes retinopathy) in this study was 31.5% indicating this is a real public health concern that needs an urgent multisectoral approach. From this study, The presence of laboratory services (OR=10,95%CI=3.56-30.99), support group (OR=5.2,95%CI=1.81-14.85), provision of health care message (OR=11.6,95%CI=3.46-38.59), normal BMI (OR=3.6.95%CI=19.88-65.36) reduced the odds of diabetes retinopathy. Drinking alcohol (OR=22,95%CI=0.003-0.771), smoking (OR=33.95%, CI=0.004-0.262), uncontrolled blood sugars (OR=4,95%CI=19.89-65.36) increased the odds of diabetes retinopathy. Low education level (OR=5.9,95%CI=0.03-0.79), earning less than 6000 Ksh per month (OR=9,95%CI=0.04-0.29) smoking (OR=33.3,95%CI=0.004-0.262), uncontrolled blood sugars (OR=4,95%CI=19.89-65.36) increased the odds of diabetes retinopathy. Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was high, earning less than 6000 Ksh per month, drinking alcohol, smoking, Low education level, and having uncontrolled blood sugars increased the odds of diabetes retinopathy. The presence of laboratory services, support group, provision of health care messages, and normal BMI reduced the odds of diabetes retinopathy