Knowledge and Practice of Foot Care in Diabetic Inpatients: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether diabetic patients have adequate information regarding foot care. Materials and Methods:We evaluated history of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and data on self-foot care practices collected through face-to-face interviews from 64 diabetic inpatients in a university hospital. Foot care practices were scored based on 20 questions. Questions under the categories of "beware of risky behavior," "foot and nail care," and "elaborate on footwear" were grouped, and the practice subscores and total scores were calculated. A total score of >70% was assessed as "good practice", 50%-70% as "satisfactory practice," and <50% as "poor practice."Results: Fourteen (21.9%) patients had previous or ongoing DFU and five (7.8%) had undergone amputation. Only 44% of the patients stated that they had been informed about the prevention of diabetic foot after the diagnosis was established. This group differed from the uninformed group significantly in terms of regular medical control (p=0.006). The average foot care practice score was 72 for the informed group and 49 for the uninformed group; the percentage of "good practice" score was 46% in the informed group and 11% in the uninformed group. The percentages of having good practice score were found to be significantly high in women, those without DFU, and those informed about foot care (p<0.01).Conclusion: Foot care practices of the patients were found to be mainly inadequate. Health care providers and diabetic patients should be encouraged for good foot care practices.

Determining Knowledge and Practice of Self-Foot Care and Adherence of Patient on Self-Foot Assessment among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

“…In contrast, the practice of self-foot care among patients with diabetes in Tanzania was low, although they were aware of the risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers (Chiwanga & Njelekela, 2015). This seems to be in line with a study by Dündar & Akıncı (2017), where they reported that patients who received education on self-foot care have good practice as compared to the patients who did not receive an education. It could be expected that knowledge and information could influence practice.…”

Foot Care Performance and Foot Self-Care Behaviors in Iranian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This questionnaire was designed by Dündar and Akinci (2017) and included 20 items with yes (score 1) and no (score zero) answers [17]. A higher score indicates better foot care performance.…”

Knowledge and practice of diabetic foot care and the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers among diabetic patients of selected hospitals in the Volta Region, Ghana

“…26,32 To minimise complications, especially those that may lead to an amputation, diabetic patients should learn proper foot care. 30,33,34 Studies have shown that the development of DFUs is influenced by several factors such as age, educational background, weight, DM type, foot care hygiene or practices, and the existence of complex nerves disorders. 15,35,36 However, even with measures taken to prevent complications, which were also found to be cost-effective, DFUs persist, becoming a challenge for the patient and the health care system.…”