Home Health Care Intervention for Diabetic Retinopathy Patients and their Caregivers to Improve Patients` Quality of Life

The aim of this study was to evaluate home health care intervention for diabetic retinopathy
patients and their caregivers to improve patients` quality of life. Design: A quasi- experimental
design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at Ophthalmological Outpatient Clinics at
Benha University Hospital and Benha Teaching Hospital, in Benha City. The sample of this
study included 100 diabetic retinopathy patients and their caregivers were chosen systematically
from total 1000 diabetic retinopathy patients. Tools: Two tools were used I: An interviewing
questionnaire was used to 1-assess socio-demographic characteristics of diabetic retinopathy
patients and their caregivers,2- health profile of diabetic retinopathy patients,3- knowledge of
diabetic retinopathy patients and their caregivers 4-quality of life of diabetic retinopathy patients.
II: An observational checklist was used to observe diabetic retinopathy patients ` home and
practices of patients and their caregivers' about diabetic retinopathy. Results: all diabetic
retinopathy patients had poor knowledge pre intervention then this percentage decreased to 18%
and 34% during post intervention and follow up respectively, 96% of diabetic retinopathy
patients` caregivers had poor knowledge pre intervention then the percentage decreased to 6%
and 17% during post intervention and follow up after three months respectively, only 14% of the
diabetic retinopathy patients had satisfactory practices pre intervention then this percentage
increased to 82% and 75% post intervention and follow up after three months respectively, 36%
of the diabetic retinopathy patient caregivers had satisfactory practices pre intervention then this
percentage increased to 90% and 86% post intervention and follow up after three months
respectively, 66% of the diabetic retinopathy patient had poor total scores of quality of life pre
intervention then decreased to 16% and 14% post intervention and follow up after three months
respectively. Conclusion: The home health care intervention succeeded to increase knowledge
and improve practices regarding diabetic retinopathy patients and their caregivers and improve
quality of life of diabetic retinopathy patients. Recommendation: Continuous home health care
intervention for diabetic patients and their caregivers regarding diabetes and diabetic retinopathy
to increase their knowledge and practices