Determinants of compliance behaviour among patients living with diabetes referred for diabetic retinopathy treatment in a government health care facility in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Untreated and unmonitored diabetic retinopathy (DR) can lead to vision loss. This may have many negative implications on society. Currently, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the factors that influence compliance behaviour to treatment among patients diagnosed with DR in South Africa’s public healthcare system. The current study sought to fill this research gap and explore patient-, institution-, treatment-, and COVID-19- related factors associated with compliance behaviour among patients living with diabetes that have been referred for suspected vision-threatening DR in the Northern/Tygerberg sub-structure (NTSS) of Cape Town, South Africa. Methodology: A qualitative research approach was used. The study population included 19 years and older South Africans living with diabetes who were screened and referred for vision-threatening retinopathy within the last 18 months at public primary healthcare facilities in the NTSS.