KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING DIABETIC FOOT CARE AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS ATTENDING OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT IN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL GUARD HEALTH AFFAIRS AL-AHSA, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Background; Diabetic foot ulcer is a major cause of lower limb amputation. Diabetic foot problems and amputation can be prevented by proper foot care. Patient's awareness is important in reducing the incidence of foot ulcers and complication. Education of the Patient with diabetes will lower the rate of foot complications and subsequent amputations. Guidelines regarding proper foot care should be provided to the diabetic patients is vital important. The study aim was to determine the knowledge and practice regarding diabetic foot care among diabetic patients. Methodology; The present study is a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 288 patients attending OPD in ministry of National Guard health Affairs Al-Ahsa, kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Samples were selected from December 2019 to March 2020. Systematic random sampling technique was done to collect the data. The data was collected after obtaining consent from all subjects. Information related to demographic variables and knowledge, practice questionnaire survey was collected using interview technique. There were 10 items inclusive of each knowledge and practice components regarding diabetes foot care was selected. SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Results; The study report showed that 53.8% of patients had adequate level of knowledge regarding diabetes, 43.5% of patients had intermediate level of knowledge and 2.8% of patients had inadequate level of knowledge.ly 30.6% of patients had good practice and 51% of patients had very fair practice and also 18.4% of patients doing poor practice.