The experiences of people with diabetes-related lower limb amputation at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Ghana

Abstract

ObjectiveLower limb amputation not only causes major disfigurement, but renders people less mobile and at risk of loss of independence. Yet with appropriate rehabilitation, many people can learn to walk or function again and live high quality lives. This study sought to explore the experiences of patients with diabetes-related lower limb amputation at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. An exploratory study design was adopted using a qualitative approach and a purposive sampling to select 10 participants for the study. A semi-structured interview guide was used with an in-depth face-to-face interview. The interview was tape-recorded with an audio recorder while notes were taken in addition to the audio recording.ResultsThere were varying degrees of experiences ranging from physical as well as psychological and economic challenges. Amputees had to cope with playing entirely new roles after the amputation. They also experienced some economic challenges which were as a result of their inability to work. Some of the amputees consoled themselves with the fact that, despite their condition, they were better than other people. Others believed that whatever happened was Gods doing and nothing could be done about it. This self-consolation and the belief in God helped them to cope.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3176-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The effects of yam gruel on lowering fasted blood glucose in T2DM rats

“…Approximately 116 million people are living with diabetes mellitus in China, among whom type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for more than 90% [1,2]. The morbidity of T2DM remains high, with numerous and severe complications that place heavy economic and care burdens on families and society [3][4][5].…”

Beliefs and practices in diabetes care

“…At the same time, there are patients that see the disease as God's punishment for something they did in the past, thus becoming sort of a test of faith. So they receive it and accept it as part of God's plan, but there find consolation in that God will help them to endure the disease [34][35][36] .…”

“…There are natural products of plant origin used for treating diabetes, including more than 800 plants that have hypoglycaemia characteristics. Some herbs have shown to relieve diabetes symptoms and help to prevent complications; for example, papaya skin reduces glucose and fat on blood, and lemon with water [35][36][37] .…”

“…Although people believe in treatments in the form of tea, infusions or extracts, they also follow medical prescriptions since medicinal plants reduce the level of glucose in blood but not as much as insulin and other medicines [35][36][37][38] .…”

Nurses’ knowledge and attitude towards diabetes foot care in Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia

“…Lower limb amputation rates (secondary to DFU) were 10–20 times higher among people with diabetes than nob-diabetes. Globally, a lower limb is lost to amputation every 30 s as a consequence of DFU [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. More than 50% of these amputations are preventable, by providing education on foot care and foot care practice on a daily basis [ 5 ].…”