Patients' perception and attitude to surgical amputation in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: There has been a global rise in surgical amputations because of vascular complications of diabetes mellitus, among other factors. About 22% of patients usually decline or delay consent for the operation leading to poor outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to determine patients' perceptions and attitudes toward surgical amputation and amputee prosthesis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 12 months during which a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to adult patients attending the outpatient clinic at Benue State University Teaching Hospital. The questions assessed the patient's knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward amputation, amputees, and amputee prosthesis. Results: Out of 400 respondents, 320 (80%) agreed that surgical amputation is beneficial, 232 (58%) agreed that it is done to remove a dead limb, whereas sixty-five (16.2%) think that amputation is done on every leg that has a fracture. The majority of 360 (90%) were willing to encourage others to have an amputation to save a life. This was found to be significantly related to religion (P = 0.000), educational status (P = 0.000), and sex (P = 0.044). Reasons for refusal of amputation were fear of losing a limb (106, 26.5%) and deformity (93, 23.2%). Three hundred and three (78.2%) respondents were aware of artificial limbs, and 342 (85.5%) regard doctors as lifesavers. Conclusion: There is a high level of awareness and knowledge of indications for surgical amputation which is significantly influenced by religious beliefs, educational status and gender. Education on preventive measures may reduce amputation rates. The provision of a functional prosthesis will hope for productivity after limb loss.