Additional file 1: of Reasons for poor follow-up of diabetic retinopathy patients after screening in Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

Diabetic retinopathy is the commonest microvascular complication of diabetes and is a leading cause of blindness, mainly in adults of working age. Follow-up is crucial to the effective management of diabetic retinopathy, however, follow-up rates are often poor in sub-Saharan Africa.

The aim of this study was to assess the proportion of patients not presenting for follow-up and the reasons for poor follow-up of diabetic patients after screening for retinopathy in Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. The interview was conducted in Kiswahili by a native speaker. The structured questionnaire used was pilot tested on 10 patients at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) prior to its use in order to ensure adequate understanding.