Knowledge and practice of foot care in patients with diabetes mellitus attending primary care center at Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Diabetic foot is the most common complication among 50% diabetic patients. Evidence exists that with the self-care, the incidence of foot ulcers and toe amputation can be decreased significantly. Hence, the current study was planned to assess knowledge and foot care practice among diabetic patients attending primary care centre in Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a Primary Care Center in Security Forces Hospital of Riyadh. Consecutive sampling was used to enrol 350 diabetic patients. Information on demographics, knowledge and practice of footcare was collected through standardized and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS V 22.0 software. RESULTS: Out of 350 patients aged 18 years and more, 170 (46.7%) belonged to age group of 46-60 years; mostly males (n = 185, 53.9%). The foot complications were absent among 57.9% patients, 35.5% having numbness, 4.3% having a history of healed ulcer and 2.3% reported toe amputation. More than 65% patients were certain about their knowledge regarding foot self-care. There was no statistically significant difference in the knowledge among males and females. The practice of self-care of feet was statistically significantly different among males and females regarding self-inspection of feet on regular basis as well as daily moisturizing of their feet. CONCLUSIONS: Both knowledge and practice levels were low among diabetic patients which needs to be strengthened through regular counselling sessions. There is a pressing need to spread awareness on this important aspect of morbidity and mortality which can be addressed with minimal resources.