title: Diabetes and its ocular complications: awareness among adults aged 40 years and older in Timor-Leste.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to assess awareness of diabetes mellitus and its ocular complications among Timorese aged 40 years and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  An interview-based questionnaire was administered to a subset of five urban and five rural clusters of 45 people aged 40 years and older as part of a population-based cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participation rate was 96.2 per cent and data were analysed for 413 respondents. Correct nomination of at least one symptom, risk factor, prevention or treatment of diabetes was made by 6.1 per cent of participants. When explicitly asked, 6.8 per cent thought that diabetes caused problems with the body and 3.6 per cent thought diabetes caused eye problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is little awareness of diabetes and its ocular complications in Timor-Leste. Given the predicted urbanisation and economic development in the coming decades, as other health challenges are addressed and resources become available, consideration of diabetes might be prudent. Improving knowledge among the population will be an important component of any strategy developed.
authors.affiliation: The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand. jramke@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramke
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hobday
authors.forename: Garry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires