Knowledge, Practice and Barriers of Diabetic Foot Ulcer among Diabetic Patients in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia, 2017

Abstract

Background: In 2013, globally, there are an estimated 382 million people living with diabetes. In 2005 worldwide 3 %–10 % of people with diabetes have a diabetic foot ulcer. Ethiopian diabetic patient’s foot ulcer is main health problem. Diabetic Foot ulcer associated with sepsis results in 12% of death. Understanding of the important factors of diabetic foot ulcer in diabetics’ patients will enable high-risk patients to be recognized early.Objectives: To determine knowledge, practice and barriers of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern EthiopiaMethods: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among diabetic patients who have follow up in HCSH from April to May, 2017 GCA. A total of 139 diabetic patients were included in the study. The final study participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. The data was collected through interview method. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.00. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify factors associated with diabetic patients. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI were computed to measure the associations between the outcome variable. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant result.Results: In this study 27.3% and 46.8% diabetic patients have good knowledge and practice of diabetic foot ulcer care respectively. The mean score knowledge and practice was 7.1±4.63 and 8.77± 2.27 respectively. Practice of diabetic foot ulcer was significantly associated with female diabetic patients [AOR=0.42; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.86], did not use moisturizer for diabetic foot ulcer care [AOR=0.41; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.85], heard about diabetic foot ulcer care [AOR=36.99; 95% CI: 4.58, 6.95], and age of diabetic patients >=61 years [AOR=3.94; 95% CI: .25, 2.38] were significant factors for knowledge of diabetic patients about diabetic foot ulcer care.Conclusion and recommendation: Significant proportion of diabetic patients has good knowledge about diabetic foot ulcer care. Just 46.8% diabetic patients have good practice of diabetic foot ulcer care. Gender and use moisturizer were significant factors with practice of diabetic foot ulcer care. So, more effort should be put into creating awareness about diabetic foot ulcer. Emphasis also needs to be given for diabetic patients in the age group between greater than or equal to 61 years.

Keywords: diabetic patients, diabetic foot ulcer, knowledge, practice, and barrier Introduction