Knowledge and Practices of Type II Diabetic Patients’ Regarding Diabetic Foot Self- Care And Their Foot Disorders

Background: Egypt figured one of the highest incidences of diabetic cases as up to 11 % of its
population who has been diagnosed with the disease. This number of cases predicted to be
doubled by 2025. Consequently, the rise in prevalence of DM is likely to bring associated
increase in foot problems. Aim of the study: assess the diabetic patients‟ related knowledge
and reported practices regarding foot self- care and to detect most common foot problems.
Subjects & Methods: Research Design: An exploratory descriptive research design was
followed in the study. Setting :This study was conducted in the two outpatient diabetic
clinics in Damanhour city .Subjects: Using the equal allocation method a convenient sample
of 360 patients.. Tools of data collection: two tools were used to collect data from diabetic
patients. Results: Mean BMI was 28.30 ± 4.1 (within normal range). Less than half of them had
poor knowledge with mean score of 3.94±1.82 and half of them had poor practices with mean
score of 11.54±2.77 related to diabetic self-care. Fissures, callus and blister was observed by
half of the subjects. Significance differences was observed between total knowledge and
practice scores and most of demographic characteristics and also between total foot self-care
related knowledge and practices regarding to their reported peripheral neuropathy complain
and observed foot disorders. Mass media was the main source of diabetic patients‟
information. Conclusion: Diabetic patients had variation in their knowledge and practices in
relation to some topics regarding foot self -care which highlight that the knowledge gained on
diabetes and basic foot self-care over the course of their disease do not promote the
implementation and maintenance of adequate behaviors and this is reflected on the presence of
foot problems. Recommendations: Patients with diabetes should receive ongoing foot care -
specific education constantly reinforced, to ensure basic diabetes information and daily living
skills are taught enough to impart proficiency of this knowledge and skills