Diabetes mellitus has become a global epidemic of 21st century with disproportionately high socioeconomic burden in the developing world. Foot ulcerations secondary to peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease have led to devastating health outcomes including amputations. A descriptive survey targeting a sample size of 301 was drawn from the selected health facility. Majority of the respondents were female and aged between 40 and 70 years old. The duration that a patient had lived with diabetes, history of smoking and respondents age was significantly associated with foot ulcers at P-value < 0.05. Walking bare foot in and out of the house, breaking into new shoes, poor inspection of feet were associated with the development of foot ulcers while dressing of blisters with sterile dressings was associated with the prevention of foot ulcers.

Diabetes is chronic metabolic disorder characterized by states of hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism. Diabetes affects millions of people globally every day and the prevalence of the disease is on the rise due to unhealthy diet and lifestyle. The disorder usually results to chronic complications including cardiovascular diseases, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, foot ulcers and diabetic eye diseases that are all preventable through secondary preventive measures. Once an individual has been diagnosed with T 2 DM, secondary preventive approaches are essential in preventing the occurrence of chronic complications. However, lack of awareness of these measures has been cited as the common reasons for the development of complications. The study aimed to assess the effect of social cultural and economic factors on the practice of secondary diabetes prevention among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) at Consolata Hospital Nkubu and Meru Level Five Hospital between March and April 2019. A descriptive correlational study design was adopted to collect data from 357 purposively sampled participants with T 2 DM using questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion Guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 at 95% confidence interval and a significance level p ≤ 0.05. Most respondents attended Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital. Majority of the respondents were aged between 40-60 years. Most respondents 31.6% had secondary level of education and majority 67% was employed. Concerning secondary prevention, majority did foot examination on every visit 70.6% and BP monitoring 69.5% while 56.5% did annual eye screening. Level of income, affordability of services, health insurance cover of the patients, monthly cost How to cite this paper: Ngari, D.M., Mbisi, A.M. and Njogu, T.W.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is becoming a major public health concern of the 21st century globally, with disproportionately great socioeconomic liability in the emerging world. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to rise resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. This is as a result of the development of chronic complications such as cardiovascular, eye, renal diseases and foot problems. Foot ulcerations related to peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease has led to distressing health consequences as well as amputations among the diabetics. Thus, the study aimed at establishing barriers to foot care practice among diabetes patients attending diabetes clinic in Embu County, Kenya. Method: A descriptive survey targeting a population of 1413 type 2 diabetic patients and 12 key informants was the target population of the study. From this, a sample size of 301 participants and 12 key informants were drawn to take part in the study using fischer et al formular. The participants were conveniently sampled from the selected DM clinics respectively. Self-administered questionnaires and focused group discussion was used for data collection. Data from study was thematically analyzed and the results presented in narration and tables. Results: Major barriers identified were impaired vision and knowledge deficit. This was backed by health care provider perception barrier that; health education given had little effect on foot care practices. Evident from the findings was inadequate delivery of services due to staff shortage as well as a communication barrier and patients negative attitude. Discussion: Intensive campaigns on the practice of the recommended diabetic foot care practices in management of diabetes should be done. Facilitation through the provision of adequate human and material resource by the government to ensure adequate delivery of health services to her citizen is also paramount.