Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Risk of Diabetic Foot Among Diabetic Patients in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundDiabetic foot care is vital as it is preventable complication but dangerous even a small trauma can end with serious consequences. Diabetes may cause nerve damage that affects feet sensation. Diabetes may also reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Because of these problems, patients may lose notice of early foot abnormalities. Diabetic patients' awareness regarding how to care for their feet plays a significant role in preventing these complications. MethodsA correlation cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all diabetic patients aging 20 years or more. Online questionnaire was used for data collection. Questionnaire was uploaded online using social media platforms by the researchers and their relatives and friends. The questionnaire included patient personal data, patients' knowledge regarding diabetic foot, attitude and practice regarding the risk of diabetic foot among diabetic patients. ResultsA total of 1,000 diabetic patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. Exact of 77.5% of the patients know that Diabetics can get gangrene in the foot, 74.9% know diabetics can develop ulcers in the foot, 66.7% reported that Diabetes can reduce blood flow to the feet of diabetic patients, 66.6% agreed that diabetic patients can suffer from a lack of sensation in the feet. Exact of 84.5% of the study participants agreed that Diabetics should check for any wounds on their feet daily, 78.7% agreed that Diabetics should visit a doctor when there is any infection or wound in the feet, 76.6% think that diabetic patients should wear specialized shoes to avoid diabetic foot according to the doctor's instructions. A total of 822 (82.2%) of the study patients wash their feet daily, and 295 (29.5%) usually wear cotton socks regularly and 39.6% sometimes wear the stock. Only 192 (19.2%) regularly walk barefoot and 41.7% sometimes do. ConclusionIn conclusion, the current study results showed that nearly two out of each three diabetic patients were knowledgeable for diabetic foot and its care. High knowledge was associated with young age, high education and having family member with diabetes mellitus (DM). Also, patients had a good attitude towards diabetic foot care and the effect of diabetes on foot health with to some level accepted practice except for some issues.

A study of diabetic patients' awareness about diabetic foot care to prevent complications.

“…As for the results of the Saudi study, the percentage was estimated at 65%. ( 23) In our study, most of the participants with a percentage of 74% were not committed to the calibration of hemoglobin and this is consistent with two studies, the rst was conducted in Saudi Arabia and the other was conducted in Jordan with a rate of 70%.49. (26) Different rates of diabetes complications were observed.…”

“…Poor control of diabetes, prolonged uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral vasculopathy, aging, and poor awareness regarding diabetes in general and foot care in particular are some of the most well-known risk factors for foot sugar. (23) The results of our study showed that 54% of the patients were male. Similar to the nding of male sex predominance in diabetic patients where the effect of sex on foot ulcers has been controversial, it has been shown that gender may pose a signi cant risk factor for ulcer development.…”

Knowledge of patients with type II diabetes mellitus regarding preventive measures of foot ulcer

“…One of the previous studies found (72%) had intermediate knowledge, (13.3%) had good knowledge, and (14.7%) had poor knowledge (Al-Aboudi et al, 2016). Another previous study found that more than two-thirds of diabetic patients were knowledgeable about diabetic foot management (67.4%), the remaining have poor knowledge (32.6%) (Al Amri et al, 2021). Another study revealed that (53.3%) of the sample had moderate knowledge, while insufficient knowledge represented (46.7%) (Alhuqayl et al, 2019).…”

“…The answer including Yes was scored as (2) and No was scored as (1). The used questionnaire are adopted and developed from several scientific researches (Tork & Elgazzar, 2020), (Al Amri et al, 2021), (Taksande et al, 2017), (Magbanua & Lim-Alba, 2017), (Al-Hariri et al, 2017).…”

Screening, Prevention and Risk Factors of Stroke in Adult Patients

“…Old age, diabetes duration, and hypertension are just a few of the diabetic foot's risk factors. The primary risk factors for foot ulcers and eventually amputation are peripheral neuropathy involving sensory loss and peripheral vascular disease with ischemia (14).…”