Awareness of Foot Care among Diabetic Patients Presenting at Services Hospital, Lahore
Muhammad Ahmad TahirChowdhry, HibaShakeel, UsmanIsmat Butt, Muhammad Umar, S M Bilal, W H Khan, MAyyaz
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ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes is a chronic
disease with a number of complications. Diabetic foot being one of them can
lead to loss of limb and life. It may also lead to physical, psychological and
economical loss not just for patient but family also.
Aim: To evaluate the awareness and practice of
foot care among diabetic patients presenting to us at a tertiary care center of
Lahore.
Methods: We performed a prospective study over a
6 month period from Oct 2018 to March 2019. A 100 consenting diabetic patients
were included in our study. We recorded the patients’ socio-demographic
characteristics, the time since onset of diabetes, the medical history and the
educational level. A total of 15 questions were asked from the patients and
their response to the questions was recorded. All data was recorded and
stratification for variables was done using SPSS version 22.
Results: A total of 100 patients were included
in our study. 47 were female and 53 were male. The mean age of the patients was
52.06 +/- 13.49 years. 51 patients were educated while 49 patients were
illiterate. (Educated being considered at least 5 years of education). Out of
100 patients , 54 patients had good practice regarding the diabetic foot
whereas 46 had poor diabetic foot care practice. When stratification for
variables was done it was found that age of the patient and direct education by
health care provider were the most significant factors which influenced the
awareness of the patients regarding the diabetic foot.
Conclusion: It appears that the awareness of the
diabetic patients regarding the potentially life and limb saving knowledge
regarding care of the feet remains wanting. Evidence that the direct education
from health care provider is significant in increasing awareness should
encourage all medical personnel involved in the management of diabetic patients
to educate their patients in this regard.
Keywords: Diabetes, diabetic foot, foot care
practice, awareness
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes is a chronic
disease with a number of complications. Diabetic foot being one of them can
lead to loss of limb and life. It may also lead to physical, psychological and
economical loss not just for patient but family also.
Aim: To evaluate the awareness and practice of
foot care among diabetic patients presenting to us at a tertiary care center of
Lahore.
Methods: We performed a prospective study over a
6 month period from Oct 2018 to March 2019. A 100 consenting diabetic patients
were included in our study. We recorded the patients’ socio-demographic
characteristics, the time since onset of diabetes, the medical history and the
educational level. A total of 15 questions were asked from the patients and
their response to the questions was recorded. All data was recorded and
stratification for variables was done using SPSS version 22.
Results: A total of 100 patients were included
in our study. 47 were female and 53 were male. The mean age of the patients was
52.06 +/- 13.49 years. 51 patients were educated while 49 patients were
illiterate. (Educated being considered at least 5 years of education). Out of
100 patients , 54 patients had good practice regarding the diabetic foot
whereas 46 had poor diabetic foot care practice. When stratification for
variables was done it was found that age of the patient and direct education by
health care provider were the most significant factors which influenced the
awareness of the patients regarding the diabetic foot.
Conclusion: It appears that the awareness of the
diabetic patients regarding the potentially life and limb saving knowledge
regarding care of the feet remains wanting. Evidence that the direct education
from health care provider is significant in increasing awareness should
encourage all medical personnel involved in the management of diabetic patients
to educate their patients in this regard.
Keywords: Diabetes, diabetic foot, foot care
practice, awareness