Assessment of knowledge and foot self-care practices among diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care centre in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional analytical study

Abstract

Introduction: diabetic foot is a common long-term complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Knowledge about foot self-care practices among diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia is limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the level of patients´ knowledge and practices regarding self-care of diabetic foot among diabetic patients.

Methods: a cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using a sample of diabetic patients attending outpatient clinics at Heraa Diabetic Center, Ministry of Health, Makkah City, Saudi Arabia from June 2020 to July 2020. The participants were interviewed through a self-administered questionnaire inquiring sociodemographic factors, patients´ knowledge and practices regarding foot self-care.

Results: a total of 409 patients were included in this study. Respondents' ages ranged between 6 and 75 years with a mean of 42.5 years and standard deviation of 13.9 years. Females represented 51.1% of the participants. Type 2 diabetes represented 85.6% of the responses. Overall, most of the participants (72.4%) had a poor level of knowledge whereas only 4.2% expressed a good level of knowledge. Being employed (P = 0.046), type II diabetes patients (P = 0.047) and those whose main source of information was health staff (P = 0.026) were more knowledgeable compared to their peers. Almost two-thirds (63.3%) of patients showed a poor level of practice related to diabetic foot self-care.

Conclusion: low level of knowledge and practice of foot care are prevalent among diabetic patients attending outpatient clinics at Heraa Diabetic Center. Designed interventions should be implemented to enhance diabetic foot self-care.