Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cataract and diabetic retinopathy among middle-aged population and older adults in a rural area at eastern China.
Pan J, Zhang Y, et al. • Frontiers in public health • 2026
Knowledge and practices regarding cataracts and diabetic retinopathy among rural middle-aged and older adults in eastern China remain inadequate, though there is a prevalent desire for increased support and education.
Key Findings
Results
Mean knowledge scores for cataracts and diabetic retinopathy among rural middle-aged and older adults were low relative to possible maximum scores.
Mean cataract knowledge score was 14.54 ± 8.14 out of a possible range of 0–28
Mean DR knowledge score was 23.84 ± 17.64 out of a possible range of 0–46
Study enrolled 460 participants aged 40–80 years in Huanggang town, Shanxian county, Shandong province
Data were collected via self-administered questionnaire from March to September 2024
Results
Attitude scores were moderately high relative to the possible range, while practice scores were in the middle of the possible range.
Mean attitude score was 37.02 ± 8.09 out of a possible range of 9–45
Mean practice score was 26.02 ± 5.33 out of a possible range of 8–40
This cross-sectional study targeted rural middle-aged and older adults aged 40 to 80 years
Results
Knowledge of diabetic retinopathy was positively associated with attitude toward eye care.
β = 0.565, 95% CI: 0.454 to 0.675, p < 0.001
This association was identified through regression analysis of questionnaire data from 460 participants
Results
Knowledge of cataracts was positively associated with eye care practices.
β = 0.428, 95% CI: 0.298 to 0.558, p < 0.001
This positive association suggests that greater cataract knowledge corresponds with better eye care-related practices among this rural population
Conclusions
Rural middle-aged and older adults demonstrated inadequate knowledge and practices regarding cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, but expressed a prevalent desire for more education and support.
The study concluded that knowledge and practices 'remain inadequate' in this population
Despite knowledge gaps, participants showed 'a prevalent desire for increased support and education'
The authors recommend that 'relevant departments and healthcare organizations implement measures aimed at educating both patients and the general public about cataracts and DR'
The study was conducted in a single rural region, which may limit generalizability to other populations
What This Means
This research surveyed 460 middle-aged and older adults (ages 40–80) living in a rural area of eastern China to understand how much they knew about two common eye diseases—cataracts and diabetic retinopathy (DR)—and how their knowledge related to their attitudes and behaviors around eye health. The study found that participants' knowledge scores for both conditions were relatively low compared to what was possible, and their eye care practices were also limited. However, attitudes toward eye care were more positive, and many participants expressed a desire to learn more.
The study also found important links between knowledge and behavior: people who knew more about diabetic retinopathy tended to have better attitudes toward eye care, while people who knew more about cataracts tended to have better eye care practices. These findings suggest that improving health education in rural communities could lead to more positive attitudes and healthier behaviors around eye care.
This research suggests that targeted public health education campaigns about cataracts and diabetic retinopathy are needed in rural Chinese communities, particularly for middle-aged and older adults who are at higher risk for these conditions. Because the study was conducted in a single rural area, the findings may not apply to all rural or urban populations, but they highlight a broader need for accessible eye health education in underserved communities.
Pan J, Zhang Y, Wu R, Cui Y, Yang H. (2026). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cataract and diabetic retinopathy among middle-aged population and older adults in a rural area at eastern China.. Frontiers in public health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1888283