Knowledge evaluation and educating diabetic patients on self foot care at diabetic out patients` clinic, Muhimbili National Hospital

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot infection, ulcers and amputations remain very common in diabetics worldwide and extremely affect patients’ quality of life. The objective of this survey was to assess the level of knowledge and educate diabetic patients on self foot care at diabetic outpatient clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of diabetic patients was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital at the diabetic outpatient clinic from mid September to mid November 2013 inclusive. Patients who voluntarily consented and determined fit for the study were recruited. Data on subjects` demographic characteristics and status of baseline and post discussion sessions self foot care knowledge were collected and analysed.

Results: A total of 115 patients were studied. Females were the majority 60.9% (70) and the mean age was 33.5(SD± 1.8) years, age ranged from 11years to 65 years. A considerable number of patients had poor self foot care knowledge 54(47.0%).Young patients (<30 years) had better knowledge about self foot care. There was a parallel increase in knowledge level of foot care with increasing level of education (P value =0.000). There was a significant improvement in self foot care knowledge level score among participants after foot care education sessions as the mean knowledge score prior education and post education were 5.7(SD±3.6) and 15.6(SD2±.5) respectively (P value = 0.000).

Conclusion and recommendation: A considerable number of diabetic patients have poor self foot care knowledge and the level of knowledge on self foot care improved prominently following foot care education session.  Therefore there is a need for establishment and strengthening effective foot care education for diabetic patients at clinics in order to prevent and reduce the incidence of foot infection, ulceration and amputations.

Keywords: Diabetic patients, Self foot care knowledge, Self foot care education, Diabetic foot complications